Salt for Oven Fires

I had never experienced this before, but I dropped 1 tbsp of butter in the bottom of my oven while baking (missed the bowl). I thought it would melt and gradually burn off, because I have had things with butter spill out of their dishes into the oven and never had a problem. JUST ONE TABLESPOON OF BUTTER WILL CAUSE A FIRE and flame up to 6-8 inches and make a lot of smoke! Luckily I was able to turn the oven off and leave the door closed and it went out by itself.

Then I had to open all the windows and turn on all the fans to air out the house. Just wanted to let people know that such a small quantity of butter WILL catch fire! I was startled by it and my family and friends were surprised, too. I also noticed that my smoke detectors, located away from the kitchen, didn't go off! I plan to put one closer to the kitchen now.

According to what I've read, salt, sugar and flour can explode, not always, but it's a possibility. Either covering the pot with a lid and turning off the burner or covering the pot with a very damp, not totally wet, but a very damp towel will smother flames.

Of course, we all know you don't want to throw water on a grease fire.