How would you identify/locate the source of a fire?

• A. Feel for hotspots with the back of your hand - hot and cold test.
• B. Shine a flashlight to locate the spot.
• C. Listen for crackling from vents.
• D. Follow smell of fuel.

Answer: (A)

Sensing heat to locate the fire source relies on heat traveling through walls, doors, and ceilings. Using the back of the hand to test suspected areas lets you detect warmth without touching hot surfaces, helping you identify where heat is strongest and where the fire is likely to be behind a barrier. This quick heat-check is especially useful when visibility is poor and flames aren’t visible.

Other methods can help in certain situations but aren’t as reliable for pinpointing the source. Shining a flashlight helps only if a flame or glowing hotspot is visible. Listening for crackling can indicate burning material but doesn’t reveal the exact location. Smelling fuel suggests there may be a source or leak, but not the fire’s precise origin.