A320
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 230; Flight Crew Type 1047
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
On climbout passing FL230; the Purser called the flight deck and said that when she opened the oven door some smoke came out of it. As she was talking she said she could now see flames at the back of the oven. I gave the pilot flying and ATC communication responsibilities to the First Officer and got on the interphone with the Purser. As she provided more details; one of the aft galley flight attendants was coming forward; saw the smoke and flames; grabbed the halon extinguisher from overhead row 1 on right side (1EF) and extinguished the fire. The other aft Flight Attendant saw the fire extinguisher being taken down and came forward with her handheld device and assisted by running their fire checklist. It happened fast and I was impressed by how quickly they assumed the roles of fire fighter; dedicated communicator and assisting crew member. I heard them clearly over the interphone working together. The flight attendants notified me that the fire was out and pulled the oven circuit breaker. They said it looked like a piece of paper on the side of the oven ignited when the oven door was opened. We got out the QRC and referenced the SMOKE/FUMES and REMOVAL OF SMOKE/FUMES checklists although we had no indications in the cockpit and there was no longer fire or smoke. We discussed whether to declare an emergency; but decided it was not necessary. The fire was extinguished quickly and the smoke did not persist. I contacted Dispatch via ACARS and received a radio frequency. I told Dispatch that we had an oven fire; that it was caused by a piece of paper in the oven; that it was extinguished and that there appeared to be no damage. I had the First Officer go back to confirm this. He took pictures for me and concurred that there was no damage. It appeared to have been caused by a piece of paper taped to the outside of the oven insert that the meals come in. The paper was in contact with the heating elements on the left side of the oven. No damage was observed to the oven either internally or externally. No smoke remained; but the odor from the burned paper lingered in the cabin. We cleared it by following the CABIN AIR POOR QUALITY procedure. I was concerned that we would not have something to feed the first class passengers; as the hot breakfast items were ruined by the halon. The purser said she had plenty of cold items as well as anything from the aft galley to offer them and the passengers were happy with that; appreciative and seemed to be impressed by how the flight attendants handled the incident. I asked the flight attendants how they felt. They said that; aside from a bit of an adrenaline rush from the excitement; they were comfortable continuing on. I conferred with Dispatch and decided that; since there was no damage and we had the ability to care for the passengers; the aircraft was safe and comfortable and we could continue. I then made an announcement to the cabin. I explained that the smell in the cabin came from the burnt paper in the galley oven; that it would go away shortly; that there was no damage and we were safe to continue.
[Report narrative contained no additional information]
A320 flight crew reported continuing to destination after the cabin crew successfully fought a fire in the forward galley oven.