Originally Posted by
Burj
Actually...not to get too picky or technical... oxygen is an oxidizer and helps fires BURN, but oxygen by itself does not burn (as opposed to hydrogen gas which can explode).
When they were investigating the ValuJet crash they were confused at first because the first test they did simulating all the oxygen generators going off in the cargo hold did NOT result in a fire like what ValuJet experienced.
It was only when they better replicated the conditions, including having spare tires in the hold that were being transported, that the TIRES started burning, and with the help of the oxygen, the fire was FAST and HOT and almost impossible to put out once it started....
Very good points. Oxygen is a very aggressive oxidizer. For example, steel will burn in an oxygen environment.
The Apollo 1 capsule fire resulted from NASA's shortsighted use of pure oxygen as the atmosphere for the early spacecraft.
Fires in operating rooms are not unheard of... as a consequence of the simultaneous use of flammable anesthetics and oxygen.
Tires are not all that easy to ignite, but oxygen would greatly ease the task. Once ignited, burning rubber is awfully hard to extinguish.