On February 24, 1997, Jerry Linenger and his team of five encountered a peril they hoped to avoid: a fire on the space station, located hundreds of kilometers above Earth.

The fire ignited shortly after dinner when Russian cosmonaut Alexander Razutkin activated a solid-fuel oxygen generator meant to boost air supply while Russia’s flagship space station, Mir, was accommodating an unusually large crew.

The generators burst into flames, unleashing a three-foot-high jet of fire and sparks throughout the module. Soon, thick black smoke enveloped the station. The sole evacuation route? Blocked by the flames themselves.

Crews immediately mobilized, donning oxygen masks and using fire extinguishers to combat the blaze. After 14 tense minutes, the fire was extinguished, ensuring crew safety. However, it took hours for the smoke to clear, and even longer for those on the ground to learn what had transpired.

In a conversation with BBC Science Focus, astronaut Linenger reflects on surviving one of spaceflight’s most severe accidents and shares the lessons he hopes to impart to future generations aiming for the stars.

SF: What was it like to experience such a dramatic event while in space? How did you feel at the time?

JL: It was a nightmare scenario. There’s no place to escape. People often mention claustrophobia, but I never felt that. They thoroughly screen for vulnerabilities like that.

When there’s a fire with flames two to three feet tall and smoke engulfing the entire station, I had never witnessed smoke spread in such a manner. Maintaining calm was crucial.

This is considered the most significant fire in space, and I believe that title remains accurate.

I’ve come to understand just how quickly situations can shift. One moment everything seems normal, and the next, you’re faced with life and death.

SF: Fighting fire is one matter, but smoke is equally perilous. How long did it take to resolve the situation?

JL: The Russians claimed the ship had an excellent filtration system, but that wasn’t true. A water-based extinguisher was in place, so much of the smoke evaporated.

Picture a humid, smoky environment. When we moved to the other side of the world, the hull cooled down, causing the water to condense alongside the smoke.

We didn’t have a great life support or filtration system—it was merely the condensation hitting the cold hull, which complicated matters. This issue persisted throughout our stay, as we aimed to avoid water splashing on the walls, where electronic equipment could corrode.

The next 24 hours involved wearing damp clothes and cleaning up the blackened water resulting from the fire. That’s how we cleared the air.

To answer your question, it took about a day to clean up. But roughly 45 minutes to an hour after the fire, the ventilators ran out of oxygen, and we could remove our masks and breathe. The air was still smoky, but I could breathe after about an hour.

SF: Is experiencing something like that on Earth different from in space?

JL: Yes, it’s an entirely different realm up there. It’s honestly hard to comprehend.

For instance, time loses meaning. The 24-hour day is a geocentric notion, irrelevant to the reality of time. If you experience day and night 15 times within a day, you realize the 24-hour construct is merely an artificial framework. Our sense of time shifts dramatically.

The concepts of top and bottom, space volume, and even the idea of walls change. Everything is fundamentally different.

Surprisingly, maintaining focus takes immense brainpower. Every detail demands attention; nothing is automatic anymore. It’s a stark contrast from the previous 40 years of my life.

SF: Why do you think NASA and the Russian Space Agency downplayed the fire’s severity?

JL: This might be a Russian tactic. We had limited communication with Houston; all dialogue occurred through the Moscow control station, which could only connect when directly overhead.

There was a strong sense of discipline. As I mentioned, this was the final phase of their space program, and they were keen to maintain it at all costs, wanting to keep the U.S. involved. Negative news about the station was likely suppressed. Historically, Russia’s system has excelled at distorting reality and silencing unpleasant information.

“Don’t inform the people on-site. Stay quiet. They don’t want to hear about it,” was said unexpectedly. They wanted to create a particular narrative. In hindsight, it seems absurd. When we returned to Earth, we learned they described it as a minor incident, saying everything was fine. It was a significant fire. We narrowly escaped. Had the flames reached the hull, we would have faced rapid decompression and suffocation.

If the ventilators had failed or the flames lingered, we wouldn’t have had any breathable oxygen.

Despite that, I must emphasize the exceptional nature of my crewmates, the Russian cosmonauts. I wholeheartedly trusted them with my life. However, the systems on the ground were chaotic then, just as they are now. Any official narrative should be taken with skepticism, and it’s common to discredit the messenger conveying the truth upon returning.

SF: What advice would you give to the new generation who will experience the wonders (and risks) of space?

JL: You should feel honored to have that opportunity and make the most of every moment. Give it your all.

Looking back now, I take pride in my efforts. I believe I did my utmost. No regrets. I’m grateful to be alive—never thought I would be.

However, you are incredibly fortunate, so give it everything you have—1,000 percent. Recognize that you are blessed to be among those who venture into space.

Now, I think it’s time to reevaluate what we call astronauts. The experience of going to space and returning to sing “Yahoo!” and take pictures is vastly different from my experience.

If I were a passenger among tourists aboard that flight, I wouldn’t engage with you. It’s indisputable. Surviving Mir was no easy task.

Professional astronauts, much like seasoned test pilots, maintain composure in chaotic situations. I had immense faith in my crewmates, a pilot and a military engineer, as they possessed the expertise essential for navigating difficulties. It’s manageable when circumstances are stable, but when issues arise, having experienced professionals beside you is crucial.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Interested in learning more about Jerry Linenger’s experiences battling fires in space? His story, among many others, is featured in a new documentary series. Once Upon a Time in Space directed by BAFTA Award-winning James Bluemel. All four episodes are now available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.

Read more: