A sudden, violent ignition of unburned, flammable gases that have accumulated in a confined space or void, separate from the primary fire compartment. It occurs when cool, fuel-rich gases mix with air into their flammable range and meet an ignition source. The resulting shockwave can cause structural collapse without warning.
Heard on the job
The attic had been banking down for twenty minutes before the smoke explosion blew out the gable vents.
Also heard as
- fire gas ignition
Do not mix it up with
- Backdraft: A backdraft requires a sudden influx of oxygen into a ventilation-limited fire, whereas a smoke explosion happens when pre-mixed gases meet an ignition source.