domestic setting, steam explosions can be a result of trying to extinguish burning oil with water in a process called boilover. When oil in a pan is on fire, the natural impulse may be to extinguish it with water; however, doing so will cause the hot oil to superheat the water. The resulting steam will disperse upwards and outwards rapidly and violently in a spray also containing the ignited oil. The correct method to extinguish such fires is to use either a damp cloth or a tight lid on the pan; both methods deprive the fire of oxygen, and the cloth also cools it down. Alternatively, a non-volatile purpose designed fire retardant agent or simply a fire blanket can be used. See also BLEVE Boiler explosion Multiphase flow 2007 New York City steam explosion Chernobyl Disaster Bibliography Triggered Steam Explosions by Lloyd S. Nelson, Paul W. Brooks, Riccardo Bonazza and Michael L. Corradini ... Kjetil Hildal References Explosion protection Explosives Nuclear accidents and incidents Water in gas ja:水蒸気爆発