Which of the following is NOT one of the three essential elements of fire?

The three essential elements of fire, often referred to as the fire triangle, are oxygen, fuel, and heat. These three components are necessary for a fire to ignite and continue burning.

Oxygen supports combustion, allowing the fire to sustain itself. Fuel provides the material that burns, whether it be wood, paper, or any other flammable substance. Heat is the energy required to raise the fuel to its ignition temperature, which initiates the combustion process.

Water, on the other hand, is not one of these fundamental components. Instead, water is commonly used as a fire suppressant to extinguish flames by cooling the burning material and smothering the fire, thereby removing heat and, in some cases, displacing oxygen. Understanding the role of these elements is crucial for effective fire prevention and firefighting strategies.