Fire Behavior and Combustion
Unit III Matt
When analyzing the incident that occurred in the City of Columbia Southern, we can
identify several key concepts to focus on. These concepts will allow us to develop a deeper
understanding of fire behavior on the fire ground.
On June 20th at 0830 a fire was reported at a three-story multi-family dwelling, with
heavy smoke conditions at initial dispatch. The timeline from the investigation indicates that the
fire started in the kitchen of unit 2B an hour and half before the initial 9-1-1 dispatch. This
extended period of flaming combustion allowed the fire to grow and spread throughout the unit
, of origin. According to the timeline established by the investigation, unit 2B experienced
extremely high temperatures and pressures which lead to flashover conditions. This was
indicated by depth of charring and melted glass inside the structure. With these conditions
present, superheated gases pressurized the structure until the unit became under-ventilated.
According to Norwood and Gray (2024), early stages of ventilation-limited fires allow for
complete flaming combustion of gases which may be considered flashover. During this phase of
fire activity, intense heat began to build within the occupancy causing fuels to reach auto ignition
temperatures but lacked sufficient oxygen-rich air. With all these factors present, a smoke
explosion or backdraft may have occurred when oxygen-rich air was introduced after the
window on the second floor, Alpha side, failed.
The Columbia Southern Incident had many challenges that arriving units had to combat.
When analyzing this incident, we can identify several phases of fire growth and development
that occurred. During the investigation, it was determined that a grease fire started at
approximately 0700 contained in the kitchen of Unit 2B. The unit in question was approximately
650 square feet with multiple rooms off the main living area. The fire initially began in the non-
flaming combustion or smoldering phase. During the incipient phase, smoke production filled the
11:20:08 GMT -05:00
Unit III Matt
When analyzing the incident that occurred in the City of Columbia Southern, we can
identify several key concepts to focus on. These concepts will allow us to develop a deeper
understanding of fire behavior on the fire ground.
On June 20th at 0830 a fire was reported at a three-story multi-family dwelling, with
heavy smoke conditions at initial dispatch. The timeline from the investigation indicates that the
fire started in the kitchen of unit 2B an hour and half before the initial 9-1-1 dispatch. This
extended period of flaming combustion allowed the fire to grow and spread throughout the unit
, of origin. According to the timeline established by the investigation, unit 2B experienced
extremely high temperatures and pressures which lead to flashover conditions. This was
indicated by depth of charring and melted glass inside the structure. With these conditions
present, superheated gases pressurized the structure until the unit became under-ventilated.
According to Norwood and Gray (2024), early stages of ventilation-limited fires allow for
complete flaming combustion of gases which may be considered flashover. During this phase of
fire activity, intense heat began to build within the occupancy causing fuels to reach auto ignition
temperatures but lacked sufficient oxygen-rich air. With all these factors present, a smoke
explosion or backdraft may have occurred when oxygen-rich air was introduced after the
window on the second floor, Alpha side, failed.
The Columbia Southern Incident had many challenges that arriving units had to combat.
When analyzing this incident, we can identify several phases of fire growth and development
that occurred. During the investigation, it was determined that a grease fire started at
approximately 0700 contained in the kitchen of Unit 2B. The unit in question was approximately
650 square feet with multiple rooms off the main living area. The fire initially began in the non-
flaming combustion or smoldering phase. During the incipient phase, smoke production filled the
11:20:08 GMT -05:00
