Bushra Griffith
Flaming goat cheese is a delicacy in Norway, known as Brunost. It is a brown, caramelized cheese made from goat's milk with a high concentration of fat and sugar, which makes it highly flammable. In 2013, a truck carrying 27 tons of this cheese caught fire in the Brattli Tunnel in northern Norway, resulting in a five-day blaze that released toxic gases and caused significant damage to the tunnel. While lighting goat cheese on fire may seem unusual, it is also featured in recipes like Saganaki, where the cheese is fried and flambeed with brandy. In Sweden, there is also a tradition of building a giant Yule Goat out of straw every year, which has led to an unofficial tradition of attempting to burn it down.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Brattli Tunnel, Norway |
| Date | 2013 |
| Type of Cheese | Goat cheese, also known as Brunost or brown cheese |
| Amount of Cheese | 27 tons |
| Fire Duration | 4-6 days |
| Cause of Fire | High concentration of fat and sugar in the cheese |
| Impact | Tunnel closed for several weeks, release of toxic gases, no casualties |
| Recipe | Saganaki: Fried cheese with brandy marinade set ablaze |
| Tradition | Gävle Goat in Sweden: a giant Yule Goat made of straw is burnt down during Christmas |
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What You'll Learn
- Goat cheese can be lit on fire as part of a recipe, such as Saganaki
- Goat cheese contains fat and sugar, which are combustible and can fuel a fire
- In 2013, a fire raged for five days in Norway due to 27 tons of goat cheese catching fire
- The Gavle Yule Goat, a giant goat statue in Sweden, is set on fire annually as a tradition
- Goat cheese fires can be challenging to extinguish and may require a Class K fire extinguisher
Goat cheese can be lit on fire as part of a recipe, such as Saganaki
Flaming goat cheese is a feature of the Greek dish Saganaki. This dish is prepared by frying a slice of cheese, then pouring brandy over it and setting it alight. The flames are then doused with lemon juice, and the dish is served with warmed pita slices and additional lemon wedges.
Saganaki is typically made with kasseri cheese, but other types of cheese can be used, including goat cheese. Goat cheese has a high fat and sugar content, which makes it highly flammable. In fact, in 2013, a tunnel in Norway was closed for several weeks after a truckload of goat cheese caught fire. The high concentration of fat and sugar in the cheese caused it to burn intensely, and the fire raged for five days.
To safely set goat cheese on fire as part of a recipe like Saganaki, it is important to take precautions. A Class K fire extinguisher, which emits a fine chemical mist, should be kept on hand in case the fire becomes uncontrollable. It is also important to ensure that the cheese is properly heated and ignited to avoid any accidents.
In addition to Saganaki, there are other recipes that incorporate flaming goat cheese. For example, some people enjoy making "Pudgie Pies" using cast iron pie irons over an open fire pit. Flaming goat cheese can also be used as a topping for pizzas or added to pasta dishes for a creamy and smoky flavor.
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Goat cheese contains fat and sugar, which are combustible and can fuel a fire
Goat cheese, particularly the brown variety, contains a high concentration of fat and sugar, which are combustible and can fuel a fire. In 2013, a truck carrying 27 tons of goat cheese caught fire in the Brattli Tunnel in northern Norway, resulting in a blaze that raged for five days. The fire was caused by the cheese itself, a delicacy known as "Brunost", which is made from goat's milk and has a distinctive brown color and caramelized flavor. This variety of goat cheese has a higher fat content than regular cheese, with up to 30% fat, and contains a significant amount of sugar due to the caramelization process.
The high levels of fat and sugar in Brunost make it highly flammable, as these substances are combustible and can fuel a fire. When ignited, the cheese burned intensely, similar to gasoline, and released toxic gases that slowed down the recovery operation. The fire was so severe that it damaged the tunnel, requiring it to be closed for several weeks of repairs. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
The unique composition of goat cheese, particularly the Brunost variety, with its high fat and sugar content, creates a highly flammable product. The fat and sugar act as fuel for the fire, allowing it to burn at high temperatures and for extended periods. This incident in Norway highlighted the potential dangers associated with transporting large quantities of combustible substances, such as goat cheese, and the challenges faced by emergency services in controlling and extinguishing such fires.
It is worth noting that while the high fat and sugar content of goat cheese can make it flammable, proper handling and storage can mitigate the risk of fire. In the case of the Norway tunnel fire, the proximity of the cheese within the confined space of the tunnel likely contributed to the rapid spread and intensity of the blaze. However, when enjoyed safely, goat cheese is a delicious treat, and its unique flavor and texture are appreciated by many.
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In 2013, a fire raged for five days in Norway due to 27 tons of goat cheese catching fire
In January 2013, a fire raged for five days in Norway due to 27 tons of goat cheese catching fire. The cheese, a Norwegian delicacy known as "Brunost", was being transported through the Brattli Tunnel in Tysfjord, northern Norway, when the driver noticed that his cargo was on fire. The driver quickly abandoned the truck about 300 meters from the tunnel's southern entrance, but the fire continued to burn. The high concentration of fat and sugar in the cheese made it burn fiercely, with police officer Viggo Berg commenting that it burned "almost like petrol".
The fire resulted in the closure of the tunnel and two miles of road as firefighters struggled to contain the blaze. The intense heat of the fire and the toxic gases that were released hampered recovery operations and caused extensive damage to the tunnel. Officials suspected that the arrangement of the cheese on the truck may have contributed to the rapid spike in temperature that initiated the fire.
The incident attracted widespread attention, with citizens expressing shock at the magnitude of the fire and the resulting closure of the tunnel for several weeks. The unique circumstances of the fire, involving a large quantity of goat cheese, highlighted the potential hazards associated with transporting flammable cargo. It also brought to light the challenges of managing fires in confined spaces, such as tunnels, and the importance of prioritizing the safety of emergency responders and the public.
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration representative, Kjell Bjoern Vinje, remarked on the unusual nature of the fire, stating that he had never encountered cheese catching fire on Norwegian roads before. The incident served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of fires and the need for preparedness in dealing with various emergency situations. It also underscored the value of fire safety measures and the importance of swift and effective emergency response in mitigating the impact of such incidents.
Overall, the fire that raged for five days in Norway due to 27 tons of goat cheese catching fire highlighted the potential consequences of transporting flammable materials and the challenges faced by emergency services in managing such incidents. It served as a learning experience and underscored the importance of fire safety and emergency preparedness.
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The Gavle Yule Goat, a giant goat statue in Sweden, is set on fire annually as a tradition
The tradition of the Yule goat is rooted in Scandinavian Christmas festivities, with the creature usually crafted on a smaller scale from straw and used as a decorative ornament. In 1966, the Swedish town of Gävle decided to build a giant version of the traditional straw goat, standing at 13 metres (43 feet) tall, to bring some festive cheer to the town square. Unfortunately, this super-flammable straw goat was also an attractive target for arsonists, and it was burned down on New Year's Eve. Since then, the Gavle Yule Goat has been burned or damaged nearly every year, with 42 out of 59 goats meeting an untimely end as of January 2025.
Despite increased security measures, including 24-hour surveillance, fireproofing, and nearby fire stations, vandals have continued to find creative ways to destroy the goat. It has been smashed to pieces, hacked, and even attacked before its construction was finished. In 2003, security guards were forced to seek shelter from the cold, leaving the goat unprotected and vulnerable to arsonists. On another occasion, a security guard reported being offered a bribe by two men who planned to fly away with the goat using a helicopter.
The goat's repeated destruction has become something of a tradition in itself, with people visiting Gavle each year to participate in the Yule celebrations and witness the goat's fate. The town's persistence in rebuilding the goat, despite calls to stop, suggests a stubborn pride in their Yule tradition. The goat has even earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for its size.
While burning or destroying the goat is illegal and can result in a 3-month prison sentence, the Gavle Yule Goat continues to face an uncertain future each year, with its survival often depending on the success of security measures and the vigilance of those tasked with protecting it.
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Goat cheese fires can be challenging to extinguish and may require a Class K fire extinguisher
Flaming goat cheese, anyone? It may sound like a delicious delicacy, but a fire involving 27 metric tons of goat cheese is no joke. In 2013, a fire involving a large amount of goat cheese closed a road tunnel in Norway for several weeks. Goat cheese, particularly the Brunost variety, has a high concentration of fat and sugar, which can cause it to burn fiercely if it gets too hot.
The high flammability of goat cheese means that fires involving this dairy product can be challenging to extinguish. In the case of the Norwegian tunnel fire, the cheese burned for five days, releasing toxic gases that slowed down the recovery operation. The tunnel sustained significant damage and had to be closed for repairs.
So, what's the best way to tackle a goat cheese fire? Well, it might require a specialized approach. A Class K fire extinguisher is designed for fighting fires involving combustible cooking media, such as vegetable or animal oils and fats. Given that goat cheese falls into this category, a Class K extinguisher could be the most effective tool for putting out such a blaze.
Now, let's talk about flaming cheese in a more controlled setting. Flaming cheese, or Saganaki, is actually a popular dish in some parts of the world. This culinary delight involves pouring brandy over fried cheese and setting it ablaze. While it might seem dangerous, with the right tools and precautions, it can be safely prepared and enjoyed. For example, using a stainless steel pan and blotting out excess oil before lighting can help manage the flames.
In conclusion, while goat cheese fires may be challenging, with the right equipment, quick thinking, and a Class K fire extinguisher, they can be safely extinguished.
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Frequently asked questions
Lighting goat cheese on fire is not a common practice, but there have been instances of goat cheese fires. In 2013, a truck carrying 27 tons of goat cheese caught fire in a tunnel in Norway. The high concentration of fat and sugar in the cheese, known as Brunost, made it highly flammable and caused the fire to rage for five days.
It is unclear exactly how the goat cheese fire started. The truck driver transporting the cheese noticed the fire and abandoned the truck before fleeing the tunnel.
Brunost is a traditional Norwegian goat cheese that is brown in color and has a sweet, caramelized flavor. It is produced by slowly simmering goat's milk to caramelize the milk sugars, resulting in a high fat and sugar content.
While there are no other reported instances of large-scale goat cheese fires, there is a recipe for Saganaki, a flaming cheese dish, that involves lighting cheese on fire with brandy.
