A330
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft
We were at oceanic cruising altitude FL390 when a FA (Flight Attendant) reported a mid-galley electrical fire with smoke and electrical fire smell. The [Relief Pilot] who was then on his break and readily available; proceeded to pull the CBs (Circuit Breaker) associated to the mid galley section. Within a period of time the fire receded. Considering the gravity of the situation; and the potential for the fire to restart; we elected to return to ZZZZ. We contacted ATC with the 'pan; pan; pan' radio call and requested radar vectors to ZZZZ. Upon arrival in ZZZZ; in order to get on the ground ASAP; as a crew; we decided to land the aircraft overweight as per QRH.
Before leaving the gate in ZZZZ the #5 and #9 FAs (Flight Attendant) both smelled a foul odor in the mid galley between 2L and 2R doors. They assumed it was old food left in a compartment and attempted to find its origin. It was immediately after the #7 and #4 FA's had made espressos. After take-off the odor remained and was stronger. When the [Relief Pilot] entered the galley area he immediately identified the smell as electrical. He and the #5 began to search for the source. Immediately they spotted smoke coming from the area of the espresso machines. They pulled the circuit breakers on the overhead panel. The [Relief Pilot] immediately called the cockpit. They initiated a call to Maintenance; galley power was cut to all of the galleys and we returned to ZZZZ. The Captain informed everyone of the situation and that we would be returning to ZZZZ as soon as we had burned off enough fuel to land. He told them it would be a heavy landing and we would have to be accessed before they would be taken off the aircraft. After we were accessed the fire department boarded the airplane in full gear and lingered a long time in the mid galley. The passengers were held on the airplane and requested to remain seated before being removed. The crew remained onboard until transportation could be arranged.
A330 First Officer and Flight Attendant reported a galley electrical fire associated with a faulty coffee maker; which resulted in an air return to the departure airport.