 FACT: The XO is informed that the fire in the galley could not be  extinguished because "the switch was too hot". The galley is  equipped with an APC (aqueous potassium carbonate) system for galley  fires. It can be activated by pulling a ring next to the equipment,  which is probably what they were talking about. However, there is  also a remote activation switch outside the compartment and also the  system is equipped with a fuse that melts at 400 degrees and  automatically initiates the system. Since it was "too hot", the fire  probably would have been put out long before the XO showed up.  Either way, no one would have to go anywhere near the fire to  extinguish it.