CANFIELD, Ohio - Why sit in class when you can suit up and battle a thousand pounds of liquefied petroleum gas?

Adult education students in the firefighter program at the Mahoning County Educational Service Center (MCESC) learned first hand what it's like to go up against a live gas fire Tuesday night.

It's the kind of fuel used in gas grills and the type used to heat many homes, so firefighters need to understand that it acts differently than a common house or structure fire does.

"If there's no coordination and they just go up like we're fighting a regular fire where we are not in cadence, or coordinance, we could actually get hurt in this type of situation, because we have to keep our nozzles together at even times. We're actually pushing the fire away from us, but in essence you'll actually see the fire coming into our cones," said Don Waldron, Fire Instructor.

It's literally trial by fire and it has to be. This is the type of training you just can't get in the classroom.

About 40 students from seven fire departments from Mahoning and Trumbull counties took part in the training drill.

Each line took their turn approaching the fire and then hand turning off the gas nozzle that supplies the fuel.

"It's definitely hot, but it's teaching us how to use water as a heat barrier and protect yourself from the flame. I think it's amazing how a hose line can protect you so much. You see that big fire ball over there, people wouldn't go near it but that hose definitely protects you from the heat, so it's a lot of fun," said Dominic Reinthaler.

It may be fun as a drill, but all these students realize just how deadly it can be in a real life scenario, one they all need to be prepared to fight at any time.

The AmeriGas Company donated the 800-1200 pounds of liquefied petroleum gas used for the drill.