Lightning strikes are what kind of fire cause?

• A. Incendiary
• B. Electrical
• C. Accidental
• D. Natural

Answer: (D)

Fires are categorized by their initiating cause. Lightning is a natural atmospheric phenomenon, not a result of human activity or equipment failure, so a fire started by a lightning strike is classified as natural. Although lightning carries electrical energy, the fire’s origin isn’t from an electrical fault or device, which is why it isn’t labeled electrical. It also isn’t incendiary, since there’s no intentional ignition, nor is it considered accidental in the sense of a human-caused error. So, lightning strikes are a natural fire.