Which of the following materials is NOT a common fuel for fires?

Water is not a common fuel for fires because it does not burn. Instead, water is primarily used as a firefighting agent to extinguish flames. It works by cooling the fire and reducing the heat to a level where combustion can no longer be sustained. In contrast, materials such as paper, gasoline, and wood are flammable and can easily ignite, serving as common fuels in various types of fires. Paper provides a rapid way for fires to spread due to its lightweight and high surface area, gasoline is a highly volatile liquid that ignites quickly and burns fiercely, and wood is a solid fuel that can sustain flames for an extended period. Understanding these distinctions is critical in fire prevention and mitigation strategies.