Hidden fires in mattresses and stuffed furniture are best addressed by which action?

• A. Removing the object outdoors or outside the fire room
• B. Suppressing from inside the room
• C. Moving the object to another room
• D. Ventilating the room

Answer: (A)

Hidden fires in mattresses and stuffed furniture burn quietly inside upholstery and can stay alive even when the room seems under control. The most effective way to stop them is to remove the burning object from the room to the outdoors, or at least outside the fire room, so you can directly apply extinguishing effort to the item and prevent the fire from smoldering in confined pockets. Taking the object outside helps cooling and allows you to attack the fire where it’s actually burning, reducing the chance of rekindling inside the room and limiting smoke exposure for occupants and responders. Suppressing from inside the room can trap heat and embers, leaving hidden portions of the fire burning. Moving the object to another room simply relocates the danger, and ventilating the room feeds the fire by adding oxygen.