How is a hostile fire defined?

A hostile fire is defined as a fire that is not contained within the vessel in which it was set. This definition captures the essence of what distinguishes a hostile fire from other types of fires. Essentially, a hostile fire occurs when the flames escape their intended containment—such as a fireplace, a stove, or a fire pit—and spread beyond that area. This uncontained behavior can lead to greater damage and poses a higher risk to surrounding property and life.

In contrast, a fire contained within approved vessels indicates that it is being properly managed and kept in a safe environment. Unintentionally spreading fires could be considered hostile in certain contexts, but that is not their defining characteristic. Meanwhile, fires in a controlled environment imply that there are measures in place to contain and manage the fire safely, which is the opposite of a hostile fire's nature. The key aspect here is the lack of containment and the potential for dangerous consequences.