I did the same thing about 10 years ago!! I had oil on the back burner and got talking and forgot about it and it burst into flames. I screamed and hubby came running and took the pot off the burner and began blowing out the flames because the oil overflowed and ran down into the drip pans!! He almost hyperventilated from all of the blowing. I'm glad nothing serious happened. Nowadays I don't make fries any more. hehe! It's not just because of that but I try and stay away from fats and oils, although I still eat them at McDonald's.!