What should be done at flammable gas incidents if gas is burning?

At incidents involving burning flammable gas, the appropriate action is to use hose streams to protect exposures if needed. This approach is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps to create a protective barrier around any structures, vehicles, or flammable materials that may be at risk from the heat and flames. By cooling these exposures, firefighters can prevent the fire from spreading and potentially causing more extensive damage or injuries.

Additionally, while extinguishing the burning gas is an important consideration, the immediate priority should often be protecting life and stability of the nearby environment. Using hose streams allows firefighters to manage the situation effectively by cooling potential targets while assessing the best course of action for extinguishing the gas. Simply ignoring the situation or evacuating personnel could lead to greater risk since the fire is active and poses a danger.

Employing foam immediately can sometimes be effective in extinguishing flammable liquids, but in the case of burning gas, it is typically not the first line of defense unless specific protocols indicate its use for that type of incident. Therefore, the emphasis on protecting exposures with hose streams is a standard practice in fire response to maintain safety and control during a flammable gas incident.