What is commonly done to allow hot gases to escape a structure fire?

Ventilating the structure is a critical action taken to manage a fire effectively. This process involves creating openings in the building to allow hot gases, smoke, and other byproducts of combustion to escape. Proper ventilation helps to lower the temperature inside the structure, improving visibility for firefighting efforts and reducing the potential for backdrafts, which occur when a sudden influx of oxygen allows ignited gases to explode. Moreover, effective ventilation can enhance the overall safety for both the occupants trapped inside and the firefighters battling the blaze.

While applying an extinguishing agent is vital for putting out the fire, it doesn't directly facilitate the escape of gases. Allowing smoke to escape is a part of ventilation but does not encompass the entire process, which is more comprehensive in terms of controlling airflow. Removing heat sources deals with stopping the fire's spread but is not specifically aimed at allowing gases to vent out of the structure. Overall, ventilating the structure is the most effective and commonly implemented strategy for managing hot gases in a fire scenario.