By their very nature, they are among the worst places to be when fire strikes. Loss of electrical power in the building, could cause individuals to become trapped between floors. The elevator shaft can act as a chimney, lending itself to the passage and accumulation of hot gases and smoke generated by the fire. Elevators may stop on the fire floor and expose elevator passengers to toxic smoke and flames. If the smoke is thick enough, it can occlude the electric eye light beam and the elevator doors won't close, potentially trapping its passengers in a box of flames and toxic gases.
Elevators can act like giant pistons pushing smoke and fire to other parts of the building.
Because of its specialized nature, rescue efforts in elevators are slower and more difficult than one would expect. When exiting you should walk, never run, and keep to the right in the hallways. Do not congregate in the lobby areas or just outside of the exit doors. Those areas may not be safe and must be free of congestion for emergency personnel access Leave the building, even if the alarm stops while you are on your way out. Look for others who work or live near you to insure everyone has evacuated.