What is a significant risk associated with fire attack in environments with sealed interiors?

A significant risk associated with fire attack in environments with sealed interiors is backdraft. In sealed environments, the availability of oxygen is limited, and when a fire consumes the available oxygen, it can lead to a buildup of combustible gases. If firefighting efforts introduce oxygen too rapidly, such as through forcible entry or opening doors, it can ignite these gases, resulting in a dramatic and dangerous fire event known as backdraft. This occurs because the sudden influx of oxygen can cause the previously smoldering fire to re-ignite explosively.

This risk underscores the importance of understanding fire behavior in such environments, as well as the need for cautious tactics when attacking a fire in a sealed space. Firefighters must recognize the signs of potential backdraft, such as smoke that is dark and thick, and a lack of visible flames, to mitigate this serious danger effectively.