What type of fire occurs with combustible materials such as wood, cloth, and paper?

A Class A fire is characterized by the involvement of ordinary combustible materials, which include substances such as wood, cloth, paper, and some plastics. These materials ignite easily and are prone to combustion. The classification is important in fire safety and firefighting because it dictates the appropriate type of extinguishing agent to use in order to effectively put out the fire.

For instance, water is typically used to extinguish Class A fires, as it cools the burning materials and helps to extinguish the flames. Other types of fires, such as Class B (involving flammable liquids and gases), Class C (involving electrical equipment), and Class D (involving combustible metals), require different approaches and extinguishing agents. By correctly identifying a Class A fire, responders can implement the most effective fire suppression strategies.