What effect does a lack of oxygen have during a fire?

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A lack of oxygen during a fire primarily causes the fire to die down. Fire requires three essential elements to sustain combustion: fuel, heat, and oxygen (the fire triangle). When the supply of oxygen is insufficient, the combustion process cannot be sustained effectively, leading to a reduction in the intensity of the fire.

As the oxygen levels decrease, flames may flicker, change color, and eventually extinguish as the fire cannot consume enough oxygen to maintain combustion. This phenomenon can occur in confined spaces or areas where the fire consumes the available oxygen quickly. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for fire investigators, as it helps to determine fire behavior and the potential causes of fire extinguishment in their assessments.

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