Electrical fires

Abstract

An electrical fire is generally understood to be a fire that is caused by the flow of an electric current or by a discharge of static electricity. It is not defined as a fire involving an electrical device or appliance. For example, a fire on an electric range that occurs due to overheating and ignition of the oilin a deep-fry pan is not classed as an electrical fire, even though it involves an electrical appliance. Conversely, an electrical device or appliance is not always needed for an electrical fire to occur. Lightning-caused fires are a form of electrical fires and these can ignite, for example, a dry bush, which is not an electrical device.