Inhalation of products of combustion.

The atmosphere of a fire is deadly to breathe. Firefighters or building occupants may be victims of the heat, irritating smoke, depleted oxygen, carbon monoxide, and such other toxic gases as cyanide, hydrogen chloride, and acrolein. Increasing numbers of homes and public buildings are being built and furnished with highly flammable synthetic materials that give off copious smoke and toxic gases when burned.