What is a form of secondary loss?

Water damage is considered a form of secondary loss because it occurs as a result of actions taken to control or suppress a fire. When firefighters use water to extinguish flames, the very act of applying water can lead to damage in the structure and contents of a building, especially if the area is not adequately protected or dried out afterward. This type of damage is a direct consequence of the firefighting efforts, distinguishing it from primary loss, which is the direct impact of the fire itself.

In a firefighting context, secondary losses can encompass a variety of issues following the initial event, but water damage is a particularly common and significant example, as it affects not just the structure but also the contents within. Understanding this helps firefighters and incident commanders plan for comprehensive loss mitigation, considering both the immediate and subsequent damages that can arise from firefighting efforts.