Home Burns After Fire Extinguisher Fails

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FOREST HILL (CBSDFW.COM) - An elderly couple in Forest Hill tried to save their home on Thursday night after a fire broke out in the kitchen. But when they tried to use a fire extinguisher to quash the flames, the couple said that it did not work.

The family was cooking chicken wings, they said, when there were sparks, then smoke, and then flames. Billy Carroll is the home's owner, and he knew what to do in this situation. "Smoke was coming out," he recalled. "I grabbed this here fire extinguisher, pulled the pin out, and nothing happened. It didn't work."

The fire started small, but quickly grew, and ended up ripping through the home where Carroll and his wife have lived for more than 40 years. Flames could be seen tearing out of the structure's roof.

"It just spread -- poof -- real fast," Carroll said. "It burned on the wall as soon as it caught the oil. It just went real fast."

Do you have a fire extinguisher in your home? Do you know if it works? Allstate Insurance has fire extinguisher advice for homeowners who want to stay safe in the event of a house fire.

- Keep your fire extinguisher in a place that is visible and easy to grab.

- Make sure that the pull pin is inserted into the handle.

- Fire extinguishers are equipped with a gauge. Make sure that the extinguisher's pressure is at the recommended level.

- Inspect your fire extinguisher monthly and undergo maintenance once a year.

- Call your local fire department for help if you have any questions.