What does water remove from a Class A fire?

Water is effective in extinguishing Class A fires, which involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, and cloth. The primary mechanism by which water extinguishes such fires is through the removal of heat. When water is applied to a fire, it absorbs heat from the burning material as it evaporates, which cools the fire to a point where the combustion reaction can no longer sustain itself. This cooling effect reduces the temperature below the ignition point of the combustible materials, effectively putting out the fire.

While other elements like fuel, smoke, and oxygen are involved in the fire triangle, water does not directly eliminate these factors in the case of Class A fires. Instead, its cooling properties are the critical aspect that leads to extinguishing the fire.