Water thrown on grease fire, fireball ensues (6 photos)

If there's a right tool for every job, logic would serve there is also a wrong one.

Rarely is this more apparent than with fire extinguishers.

"There's three main classes of fire and not every type of extinguisher is appropriate for every type of fire" said Dan Fraser, instructor in the Introduction to Fire Science course in the Criminal Justice program at Sault College.

Students spent class time Thursday evening looking at common fire situations and how to deal with them.

In one exercise, a water-based extinguisher was used to extinguish a simulated grease fire, which resulted in a fireball much bigger than the original fire.

Students were then shown how using an appropriate chemical-based extinguisher easily put the fire out.

Fraser should know, he is also a fire prevention officer with Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services.

Most of the instructors in the program are current or former professionals in their fields, from firefighters to RCMP and military police officers.

"They don't just have the knowledge, they have lived it day in day out and use their personal experiences to teach us" said Aaron Halford, a first-year student in the program, who hopes to go on to a career with Canadian Border Services or fire services.

As a bonus, Halford was asked to put on Fraser's firefighting suit for the demonstration.

Fraser said fire extinguishing skills aren't only useful for those seeking a career in fire services.

"We know police officers and security personnel are often first on a scene, so this is an important component to learn," he said.

(PHOTO: Instructor Dan Fraser watches as a student in the Criminal Justice program uses a water-based extinguisher on a simulated grease fire. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)