Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a safety shutoff valve generally comprise a valve lever coupled to a pipe, a shifting mechanism coupled to the valve lever, which causes the valve lever to be biased to move to and stay in the closed position, a release bar to hold the valve lever in the open position, a release mechanism, and an actuator. The actuator is a nickel-titanium alloy wire. The release bar holds the valve lever in the open position, the release bar being held in place by the release mechanism coupled to it. The release mechanism is coupled to nickel-titanium alloy wire, which extends along the pipe away from the valve apparatus. When heated, by a fire, for example, the nickel-titanium alloy wire contracts, pulls the release mechanism away from the release bar, and allows the valve lever to automatically move to and remain in the closed position, cutting off the flow of oil, or other fire fuel, to the fire.