Fires can cause serious injury and death as well as the loss of equipment and facilities.
Fires are dangerous directly by burning, and indirectly through heat, smoke, and production of toxic or asphyxiating gases. Fires may present other types of hazards including electrical, structural, and equipment damage. Water damage to equipment may occur when the fire is being controlled. Activities which create sparks or flames present fire hazards. Poor housekeeping can produce excessive combustible material that would quickly feed a fire once one began.