Fire can be the most devastating thing that can happen to a home. Watching a home burn down has a psychological effect on a homeowner that just cannot be compared to anything else.Fires happen when there are three specific things working in its favor: heat, oxygen, and fuel. Cut any one of those resources off, and there will be no more fire. So even a small fire can be potentially dangerous to your home. If you have a fireplace, make sure the flames and heat are well contained. Fireplaces that are left unattended can sufficiently cause it to build up and spread. Here are a few ways in which fire can damage a home and the risks that it puts the dwellers in.
Impact of Fire on Houses
- Structure Collapse: Fires can spread quickly, and if they grow uncontrollable, there is a chance that parts of the home will collapse. Houses are normally wooden structures, and wood will burn easily. If the support structures catch fire, chances of the room collapsing are high; so if you are ever in such a situation, try to exit the scene as quickly as possible.
- Interior Damage: Fires that start inside the home will most likely damage interior objects like furniture and possessions. Cloth and plastic objects will probably be the first to catch fire, and the large flames you normally see come from curtains and beds. They are also easily ignited and can sometimes act as the source of the fire.
- Breathing Quality: Smoke and soot damage is likely to be spread across the home even in parts that are not affected directly by the fire. While fires are burning inside a home, all of the oxygen is being removed from the air to keep the fire burning. The smoke and soot produced by the fire can stick to walls even after the fire is put out, creating bad air quality for breathing.
The main thing to remember is that houses can be rebuilt and possessions can be replaced. Do not attempt to save as many things as possible. You and your family’s safety is the number one priority during a fire. If there is ever a fire present in your home, take action to find safety, extinguish the fire, and hire a professional to appoint the damage afterwards.