Flash fires may occur in environments where
fuel, typically flammable gas or dust, is mixed with
air in concentrations suitable for combustion. In a flash fire, the flame spreads at
subsonic velocity, so the
overpressure damage is usually negligible and the bulk of the damage comes from the
thermal radiation and secondary fires. When inhaled, the heated air resulting from a flash fire can cause serious damage to the tissue of the
lungs, possibly leading to death by
asphyxiation. Flash fires can lead to smoke burns. Flash fire is a particular danger in enclosed spaces, as even a relatively small fire can consume enough oxygen and produce enough
smoke to cause death of the persons present, whether by asphyxiation or by
smoke inhalation.
Protective clothing made of
fire-retardant materials (e.g.
Nomex) reduces or prevents thermal injury in the body areas that are covered by the fire-retardant material. Even normal clothing can provide partial protection. ==Surgical==