The 4 Elements of Fire and Ways to Snuff it Out - example of a fire tetrahedron

The 4 Elements of Fire — How Fires Start and How to Stop Them in Your Chicago Home

Nasutsa Mabwa

June 26, 2025

Every fire needs four elements to survive. Learn how to break the fire tetrahedron to quickly extinguish fires and minimize damage. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is your trusted Chicago fire cleanup partner.

Fires can move quickly from small flames to destructive forces, threatening homes, lives, and property. But no fire is invincible. Every fire depends on the same four key elements, known as the fire tetrahedron. Understanding these elements can help you take action to stop a fire before it causes serious damage in your Chicago home or business.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we’ve spent over 40 years helping Chicagoans recover from fire damage. Here’s what you need to know to protect your property.

What Are the Four Elements of Fire?

Fires don’t happen by accident. They need these four elements to ignite and continue burning:

1. Fuel
Fires need something to consume. This can include wood, fabric, paper, gas, grease, or even synthetic materials. Without fuel, a fire starves and dies.

2. Heat
Heat is required to bring fuel to its ignition temperature. Once burning, heat keeps the fire going and helps it spread by preheating nearby materials.

3. Oxygen
Most fires need at least 16% oxygen to keep burning. Oxygen supports the chemical reactions that produce flames and heat.

4. Chemical Chain Reaction
Once the other elements combine, a chain reaction occurs that sustains the fire. Breaking this reaction stops the fire from continuing.

How to Stop a Fire: Breaking the Tetrahedron

If you remove or block any one of the four elements, the fire will go out.

Cool the fire
Water cools the heat below combustion temperature. Use water on ordinary combustibles, but never on grease or electrical fires.

Smother the fire
Cut off oxygen by covering flames with a lid, fire blanket, or foam extinguisher. This is effective for small fires like those on stovetops.

Starve the fire
Remove fuel if possible. Shut off gas lines or remove combustible items if safe to do so.

Interrupt the chemical chain reaction
Use a fire extinguisher designed for the type of fire (such as dry chemical or halon agents) to break the reaction.

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher for Your Home

Fires behave differently depending on their source. Here’s what to have on hand:

Class A: Ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, fabric)
Class B: Flammable liquids (grease, oil, gasoline)
Class C: Electrical fires
Class K: Cooking fires (grease fires in kitchens)

A multipurpose ABC extinguisher covers most household needs, but a Class K extinguisher is best for kitchens.

When Fire Damage Happens, Call the Experts

Even when you act fast, fires can cause serious damage before they’re contained. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is ready 24/7 to help Chicago homeowners and businesses recover from fire and smoke damage.

Our team provides:

Residential Fire Damage Restoration
Commercial Fire Cleanup
Smoke Odor and Soot Removal
Pack-out and Contents Cleaning

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is part of the nation’s oldest restoration brand, founded in Chicago in 1929. With more than 40 years of local expertise, we serve Cook, Lake, and DuPage County. Call 773-376-1110 for more information.

Our certified team offers:

We serve neighborhoods including Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, West Loop, Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four elements of fire?
Fuel, heat, oxygen, and a chemical chain reaction.

How can I stop a grease fire at home?
Cover it with a lid, turn off the heat, and use a Class K extinguisher. Never use water.

Is it safe to use water on all fires?
No. Water is unsafe for grease and electrical fires. Use the correct extinguisher type.

What should I do if a fire causes damage in my home?
Call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons for expert fire damage cleanup and restoration.

Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO and co-owner of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE firm proudly serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties in Illinois. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of disaster restoration services, including water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, and mold remediation for residential and commercial clients.

A recognized civic and business leader, Nasutsa is a recipient of the 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite Award, a Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2018 ServiceMaster® Achiever Award recipient. She currently serves as a Civic Federation Board Member, an Advisory Board Member, and is the Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. She is a proud member of the WPO - Women's President Organization.

Nasutsa holds IICRC certifications in Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), bringing both strategic leadership and technical expertise to every project.

She is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset from Water and Fire Disasters — a practical, accessible book for homeowners based on real-world experience in the restoration industry.

Subscribe now for expert tips, rapid-response insights, and restoration guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re recovering from fire, water, or mold damage, stay prepared with advice from the trusted pros at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons.