What three elements are required for a fire to occur?

The three elements required for a fire to occur are heat, fuel, and oxygen. This combination is known as the fire triangle.

Heat is necessary to raise the material to its ignition temperature, allowing it to burn. Fuel refers to any combustible material such as wood, paper, or gasoline that can sustain combustion. Oxygen, usually from the air, is required to support the chemical reactions that occur during combustion. Without any one of these elements, a fire cannot start or continue to burn.

Understanding this principle is vital for fire prevention and safety practices. For example, if a fire is detected, one effective strategy is to remove one of these three elements—such as using fire extinguishers to cool the fire (removing heat) or smothering a fire to cut off oxygen.