The fire broke out at Sumo Steakhouse and Sushi in Madison, WI. READ MORE: https://abcn.ws/2O1cfi0
Spontaneous combustion of tempura flakes blamed for sushi restaurant fires https://abcn.ws/2O1cfi0
A popular sushi ingredient is believed to be the cause of seven restaurant fires across the country, after officials discovered the product could self-heat and spontaneously combust.
The fires, five of which happened in Wisconsin, were the “result of a preparation technique” used to make deep-fried tempura flakes, commonly referred to as “crunch” but properly called tenkasu or agedama, according to a statement from the city of Madison’s fire department.
#ABCNews
Worst porno ever!
I hope that everyone is ok
Wonder if any of the mysterious spontaneous combustion cases were consuming or contained ingredients similar.
How can a product self heat? This is the weirdest thing I have seen in the day.
Can this happen in my stomach?
Are they ready when you get there?
Where is the water sprinkler?
Really ABC *AHEMDISNEY*? Spontaneous combustion? Thought you had at least one scientist at your disposal….
😯😫Omg I just brought home some sushi and tempura and left it on top of my kitchen😿🚒🚨 counter ðŸâ€Â¥Ã°Å¸Å¡â€™ because 🤦â€Â♂ï¸Â🙆â€Â♂︠something came unexpectedly,🧯 so I had to dart out for a while.ðŸâ€Â¥ I hope I don't come🧯 home to a major fire in my appartment. ðŸâ€Â¥Ã°Å¸Â±ðŸ¦Âmy cats🧯!â³😱ðŸÂƒâ€Â♂ï¸Â🤳⛑
Huhhhw?
Can tempura flakes self ignite in your tummy??
How’s this possible? And how come no one in these comments makes sense grammatically
I knew fire shooting out my ass was from the sushi.
Ban sushi 😂ðŸÂ¥ðŸÂ£ðŸ¤¢
I'm confused but don't people eat these? How??
Millions areleaving FACEBUTT & TOOTER BECAUSE OFSPYING ON YOUR CHILDREN BY PEDOVORES IN CONGRESS & GOVERNMENT!!
Now I know why they're called TEMPura.
Hay can self-ignite, also.
I only stayed for the hot soundtrack.
Hot!!
Wtf …rip sushi restaurants
Stop showing George after every video.
fta: A popular sushi ingredient is believed to be the cause of seven restaurant fires across the country, after officials discovered the product could self-heat and spontaneously combust.
The fires, five of which happened in Wisconsin, were the "result of a preparation technique" used to make deep-fried tempura flakes, commonly referred to as "crunch" but properly called tenkasu or agedama, according to a statement from the city of Madison's fire department.
(MORE: Japan restaurant explosion injures dozens)
The process to create the flakes involves using vegetable or soybean oil and deep frying the batter in patches before letting it cool in a bowl. However because the oils have the ability to self-heat, as the flakes cool off, the oil heats up in a contained environment, according to the statement.
"These conditions can create an environment for a fire to occur," the statement read.
Kara Nelson, a fire investigator with the Madison Fire Department, told ABC News Tuesday that surveillance footage from the fires confirmed the blazes started in a bowl with the tempura flakes. She compared the combustion to a similar process that can happen with oily rags.
PHOTO: The ATF in St. Paul, posted this photo from a Wisconsin restaurant fire that was caused by cooking technique. ATFStPaul/Twitter
The ATF in St. Paul, posted this photo from a Wisconsin restaurant fire that was caused by cooking technique.more +
"Let's say someone wipes the stain up with some rags. The oil will combine with the oxygen in the air and in that chemical process, it releases heat," Nelson said. "If the rags are bunched up and cannot dissipate then the environment for a fire to occur is created."
She noted that in making the tempura flakes, the process involves heating up the oil and placing them in a bowl to cool.
"You have an oil that can undergo spontaneous combustion and its heated, so we're helping the process," Nelson said. "And anything that is gonna keep that heat from being able to dissipate, it might raise to the point where a fire could occur."
(MORE: NYC Building Fire: Restaurant Owner Smelled Gas Before Massive Explosion, Officials Say)
Two of the fires, both at sushi restaurants in Madison, resulted in damages totaling around $575,000, according to the fire department. Neither resulted in injuries.
One blaze broke out at Sumo Steakhouse and Sushi Bar on April 5 at around 2:30 a.m. Firefighters entered the restaurant through a hatch on the roof and found the kitchen in flames. A sprinkler managed to prevent the fire from further damaging the building, and the restaurant has since reopened.
PHOTO: Tempura sushi roll. STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images
Tempura sushi roll.
Another fire occurred on May 10 at the Madison restaurant Takara just before midnight. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, though the damage was extensive. Takara remains closed.
Nelson said similar incidents have happened in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Ashburn, Virginia. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives helped in each investigation.
She hopes the attention around the sushi ingredient will raise awareness to its ability to combust and urged anyone making the tempura flakes not to leave them unattended overnight and to lay them out flat rather than piled in a mound.
However, she noted that the combustion is only possible under specific conditions.
"We've got questions like, 'If we eat this are we gonna spontaneously combust?,'" she said. "And the answer to that is no. Vegetable oil and canola oil have the highest tendency to undergo spontaneous combustion, but it's not gonna do it sitting on the shelf."
Wut?, Huh? & ???: Read description, fascinating stuff.
After watchung this no more shrimp tempura rolls for me
Mike jones?
Well. I ain't eating tempura flakes again.
WOW!!
huh?
???
Wut?