Science
How does fire work?
Fire is the result of combustion — a fast chemical reaction where a fuel combines with oxygen and releases heat and light. It needs three things at once: fuel, oxygen, and enough heat to start. Remove any one, and the fire goes out.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how fire works.
Step by step
- 1Fire is a rapid chemical reaction called combustion.
- 2It needs fuel, oxygen, and heat — the 'fire triangle'.
- 3The reaction releases heat and light.
- 4Removing fuel, oxygen, or heat extinguishes it.
Frequently asked questions
- How does fire work?
- Fuel reacts rapidly with oxygen when heated enough, releasing heat and light in a reaction called combustion.
- What is the fire triangle?
- The three things fire needs: fuel, oxygen, and heat. Remove any one and the fire dies.
- Why does water put out fire?
- It cools the fuel below its ignition temperature and blocks oxygen, breaking the fire triangle.