in a more 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.