In a commercial property policy, which of the following would be considered a hostile fire?

In the context of a commercial property policy, a hostile fire is defined as a fire that spreads beyond its intended or contained area and causes damage to property. This concept is crucial when assessing the nature of fire-related incidents in terms of insurance coverage.

The scenario that best illustrates the concept of a hostile fire is one where a contained fire spreads to an unintended area, causing destruction or damage to property. For instance, when fire from a fireplace ignites draperies in the living room, it represents a situation where a fire has moved beyond its safe confines and into areas where it creates a hazard, thus qualifying as a hostile fire.

In contrast, a fire that burns in a kettle hanging in a fireplace is managed and confined within the established boundaries of the fireplace, posing no risk of expanding or causing damage beyond that area. Similarly, flames on a gas stove that inadvertently set the ceiling on fire and a fire in an outdoor pit that ignites a nearby tree could also be seen as hostile fires, but they may not fit as closely to the conventional definitions used in insurance terms when compared with the second scenario mentioned.

Understanding the distinction between controlled and uncontrolled fire scenarios is essential for effectively addressing insurance claims and risks associated with various property incidents.