Which is a form of secondary loss?

• A. Injury sustained after extinguishment
• B. Electrical overload
• C. Water damage
• D. Burnt combustibles

Answer: (C)

Secondary loss refers to damage that happens after the fire has been brought under control, coming from the incident itself or from the actions taken to fight it. Water damage fits this idea best because the water used to extinguish the fire soaks walls, floors, and contents, leading to warping, staining, corrosion, and conditions that encourage mold growth. It’s a consequence that follows extinguishment, not the initial flame damage.

Injuries are personnel losses rather than property losses, so they aren’t described as secondary loss in this context. An electrical overload is a hazard or potential cause but not a form of post-fire property loss. Burnt combustibles are direct fire damage, not secondary damage that arises after extinguishment. Understanding this distinction helps focus salvage and overhaul efforts on mitigating water damage through rapid dewatering, drying, and monitoring for moisture-related issues.