Facts About Fire

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Fire

Fire is destructive and devastating. The idea of a deadly blaze consuming and destroying everything in its path is a very scary thought. Yet even still, for some, there’s something mystical about it. The destructive chemical reaction can seem almost alive as it moves and gets stronger with time. There’s a lot about a fire that most of us don’t know. Whether it’s by choice or we’re just too afraid to look into it, most of us don’t know that fire has a lot of unique historical moments and facts. Discover Magazine has a list of unique fire facts that might just change your view on it;

• Fire is an event, not a thing
• Haystacks, compost heaps, and even piles of old newspapers and magazines can also burst into flame
• Most of the fuels we use derive their energy from trapped solar rays
• Spontaneous combustion is real
• Assuming stable fuel, heat, and oxygen levels, a typical house fire will double in size every minute
• America’s deadliest fire took place on April 27, 1865, aboard the steamship Sultana, where the ship was six times over capacity, producing a death toll of 1,547 people
• Earth is the only known planet where fire can burn
• A coal seam about 140 miles north of Sydney, Australia, has been burning by some estimates for 500,000 years
• The more oxygen, the hotter the fire
• Charred bones and wood ash indicate that early hominids were tending the first intentional fires more than 400,000 years ago
• The amount of Oxygen supply influences the color of the flame
• Place a cold spoon over a candle and you will observe water vapor condense on the metal

While fire can cause a devastating loss, there’s no denying there are a lot of unique and interesting elements to it. Even its history can raise an eyebrow. Either way, the more we know about a phenomenon, the more we can understand it and deal with it later. So make sure you know a little something about fire before you plan your next bonfire party. 

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.