Jeremy Started the Fire

I am obviously missing the luxuries of home. After dinner last night, Melissa and I decided that making popcorn would be a good idea prior to watching Ocean's 13. Unable to find microwave popcorn in the grocery store in Lusaka (we actually have a microwave in our home), we resorted to whole kernel popcorn as we were assured by our liaison that we could pop it using the burners on the oven. Neither Melissa or I had ever popped popcorn in anything other than a microwave (or electric popcorn popper), so we began our search on the internet to determine how to determine the correct method.

After searching the internet for a few minutes, we found a site that told us that we needed cooking oil, popcorn kernels and a large pot. Unknowingly, I turned the stove top control to medium heat and started heating the cooking oil which layered the entire bottom of the pan. Once the cooking oil became hot, I dropped in two kernels (based on the instructions) as a test to see what would happen. Both kernels popped, but quickly turned black and inedible. After failing with two kernels, it was back to the internet to see what went wrong.

Melissa and I walked back into the living room where the computer was set-up, but upon entering the room, I heard a whoosing type sound coming from behind me. Instinctively, I turned around and retreated to the kitchen to determine the cause of the sound. Upon turning the corner into the kitchen, I saw the pot I was using to cook popcorn and 2 – 3 foot flames protruding from the top of the pan.

I yelled to Melissa and hurriedly ran to the stove. Without a local fire department, fire extinguisher or even a simple garden hose, I knew that it would be trouble if things anything else caught fire, so I picked up the flaming pot to throw it outside and away from the house. Upon thinking this through further I remembered that unfortunately, the manual slashers they use to cut the grass here do not have a mulching / bagging function like the mowers at home so the dead grass lays in the yard and accumulates creating a less than ideal place to throw a flaming pot. Not wanting to set the yard on fire either, I returned to the stove and set the pot back down. Regaining composure, I remembered that I could suffocate the fire if I could cover the flaming pot. Now thinking clearly, I grabbed the lid we were preparing to use and smothered the fire.

By this time, thick smoke filled the kitchen and required the fan to finally clear the room. After this entire ordeal, we attempted making popcorn a second time and were much more successful. Needless to say, we will not be attempting to make anything which requires heating quantities of oil the remainder of our trip. Please enjoy these pictures of our first (and final) night of making popcorn at Mukinge!