Combustion evidenced by a flame or glow. Insurance distinguishes between a hostile fire (one out of bounds) and friendly fire (such as that contained within the fire box of a stove).
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Combustion which is rapid enough to produce a flame or glow. A Fire, for the purposes of Property Insurance must be “hostile” which means it is not in a place in which it is intended to be. Fire connote actual ignition under accidental or fortuitous circumstances so far as its coverage under the Fire Insurance is concerned. Fires in their proper contained area are called “friendly Fires” and are not covered under most basic Fire Insurance Policies. Scorching without ignition is not a Fire. A Fire lighted for a definite purpose, say, for warming or manufacturing is not a Fire as understood in the Fire Insurance parlance if it is confined within its own limits. If such Fire breaks out of its bounds and ignites other property, then the loss is within the scope of ‘Fire’ Insurance in view of both the elements “ignition,” and “accident” being present. In other words, there is said to be a Fire within the meaning of Fire Insurance when (a) there is actual ignition (b) the property is one which ought to have been on Fire and (c) the Fire is purely accidental or fortuitous in origin, as far as the insured is concerned.
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UK: Occurs where there is actual ignition that is accidental or fortuitous in origin from the insured’s standpoint. The term does not include a fire lighted for a specific purpose while confined to its normal limits (e.g. in a grate), but includes fortuitous damage caused if property is inadvertently thrown or dropped onto it. A policyholder who had hidden jewellery beneath the fuel in a grate and, forgetfully, lit the fire later was able to recover. Unburned property damaged by water used for extinguishment is ‘fire’ damage under the proximate cause doctrine.