Title: Discussion Board Description: Incident: Fire from frayed electrical wiring
Course: Lab Safety > Section: Day 3

A beaker of acetone, a very flammable organic solvent, was placed near a hot plate. The acetone fumes, heavier than air, crept along the top of the bench and at some point the frayed electrical wiring of the hot plate generated a spark. The fumes ignited. The instructor's lab coat caught fire. One alert student safely extinguished the fire and another wrapped the instructor in a fire blanket. There were no serious injuries or damage.

What lessons can be learned? What questions might you still have? What could other students do to help the situation?

Answer a question. Ask a question. Be complete in your response by answering why you answered as you did or why you want to know what your questions is.