What does the "fire triangle" consist of?

The fire triangle consists of heat, fuel, and oxygen, which are the three essential components required for a fire to ignite and sustain combustion. Heat provides the energy to ignite materials, fuel refers to the combustible material that burns, and oxygen is necessary to support the chemical reactions that occur during combustion. Without any one of these three components, fire cannot start or continue burning. This understanding is critical in fire prevention and safety management, as it highlights the importance of eliminating one of these elements to control or extinguish a fire.

The other options listed do not accurately represent the foundational components of the fire triangle. For instance, fire extinguishers are tools used to put out fires and not part of the intrinsic elements that create fire. Similarly, smoke is a byproduct of combustion rather than a necessary component, and chemicals alone do not define the conditions for a fire; rather, they may serve as fuel.