1550s, from Middle French cube (13c.) and directly from Latin cubus, from Greek kybos a cube, a six-sided die, vertebra, perhaps from PIE root *keu(b)- to bend, turn..
The triangle illustrates the three elements a fire needs to ignite: heat, fuel, and an oxidizing agent (usually oxygen). A fire naturally occurs when the elements are present and combined in the right mixture, meaning that fire is actually an event rather than a thing. A fire can be prevented or extinguished by removing any one of the elements in the fire triangle. For example, covering a fire with a fire blanket removes the oxygen part of the triangle and can extinguish a fire.
For a wind-driven fire to occur, five key elements must come together. In the absence of anyone of these elements, a wind-driven fire will not occur. 1  A fire in the apartment. 2  An open apartment doorâeither left open by the occupant, or forced open and not controlled by firefighters. 3  Smoke in the public hallway. 4  Wind. 5  A failed or open window.