Fire is a chemical reaction that involves the rapid combination of oxygen with a fuel source, releasing heat, light, and various gases.
The fire
triangle illustrates the three essential components necessary for a fire to
occur: fuel, oxygen, and heat. If any of these components is removed or
reduced, the fire can be controlled or extinguished.
Here's a breakdown of the fire triangle components:
Fuel:
This is the material that undergoes combustion. It can be solid, liquid, or
gas. Common examples include wood, paper, gasoline, oil, natural gas, and
plastics.
Oxygen:
Fire requires oxygen from the air to sustain the combustion process. This is
why fires cannot burn in environments with insufficient oxygen, such as in a
vacuum.
Heat:
Heat initiates the ignition of the fuel. Once the fuel reaches its ignition temperature
(the lowest temperature at which it will spontaneously ignite), the chemical
reaction with oxygen begins and a fire is born.
