Ethanol fires harder to control than gasoline, require special foam Francine Sawyer February 28, 2008 - 8:52PM The nation’s drive toward alternative fuels carries a danger many communities have been slow to recognize: Ethanol fires are harder to put out than gasoline fires and require a special type of firefighting foam. Many fire departments don’t have the foam, don’t have enough of it, or are not well-trained in how to apply it. The foam is also more expensive than conventional foam. Bobby Aster, New Bern Fire and Rescue chief, said fighting ethanol fires is new to the fire service. “As...