What should be done with an unoccupied building in a fire emergency?

In a fire emergency, assessing the risk for fire spread in an unoccupied building is crucial for multiple reasons. First, understanding how the fire may spread involves evaluating the building's structural conditions, potential combustibles present, and the proximity to other structures. This assessment helps determine whether the fire poses a threat to nearby occupied buildings and ensures that firefighting efforts are strategically focused to prevent broader damage.

Furthermore, knowing the potential pathways for fire spread can influence the tactics used by firefighters, including their approach to extinguishing the fire and protecting exposures. Given the unpredictable nature of fire and factors such as wind direction or building materials, this assessment is key to ensuring the safety of both firefighters and the community.

While securing the premises is important to prevent unauthorized access, and inspecting for potential hazards is always a good practice, these actions do not directly address the immediate threats posed by the ongoing fire situation as effectively as assessing the risk of spread does. Similarly, evacuating nearby areas may be necessary if the threat is imminent, but understanding the risk helps inform whether such drastic measures are required.