flashover
noun
flash·over ˈflash-ˌō-vər 
1
: an abnormal electrical discharge (as through the air to the ground from a high potential source or between two conducting portions of a structure)
2
: the sudden spread of flame over an area when it becomes heated to the flash point
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The free event features safety information, activities and demonstrations, including a water rescue in Lake Osborne, a flashover fire and K9 unit exercises. 
Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 The reason is a phenomenon called flashover, in which electric current flows over the surface of the body and largely bypasses the internal organs. The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2021 When crews were able to get into the home, the immediate rush of oxygen to the fire caused a flashover, NOFD said, and intense fire at extremely high temperatures surged toward the firefighters entering the building. Carlie Wells, NOLA.com, 13 Nov. 2020 The experts determined the fire was caused by the effects of flashover and had one point of origin. Lauren Castle, azcentral, 23 Mar. 2020 Among them: Toledo, Ohio, firefighters Jamie Dickman, 31, and Stephen Machcinski, 42, killed in a flashover on Jan. 26, 2014. Mike Hendricks, kansascity, 13 July 2018 Even more dangerous than a rollover is a flashover. Sean Flynn, Esquire, 9 Mar. 2017 Unlike a rollover, however, a flashover happens everywhere at once; every molecule of atmosphere, every object in the vicinity, instantly turns to fire. Sean Flynn, Esquire, 9 Mar. 2017 To show the effects of a flashover, rollover and the better understanding of a blaze, the Olmsted Township Fire Department hosted a regional fire training simulator last week that also included Olmsted Falls and North Olmsted firefighters. Joanne Berger Dumound/special To Cleveland.com., cleveland.com, 5 June 2017 See More
Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 The reason is a phenomenon called flashover, in which electric current flows over the surface of the body and largely bypasses the internal organs. The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2021 When crews were able to get into the home, the immediate rush of oxygen to the fire caused a flashover, NOFD said, and intense fire at extremely high temperatures surged toward the firefighters entering the building. Carlie Wells, NOLA.com, 13 Nov. 2020 The experts determined the fire was caused by the effects of flashover and had one point of origin. Lauren Castle, azcentral, 23 Mar. 2020 Among them: Toledo, Ohio, firefighters Jamie Dickman, 31, and Stephen Machcinski, 42, killed in a flashover on Jan. 26, 2014. Mike Hendricks, kansascity, 13 July 2018 Even more dangerous than a rollover is a flashover. Sean Flynn, Esquire, 9 Mar. 2017 Unlike a rollover, however, a flashover happens everywhere at once; every molecule of atmosphere, every object in the vicinity, instantly turns to fire. Sean Flynn, Esquire, 9 Mar. 2017 To show the effects of a flashover, rollover and the better understanding of a blaze, the Olmsted Township Fire Department hosted a regional fire training simulator last week that also included Olmsted Falls and North Olmsted firefighters. Joanne Berger Dumound/special To Cleveland.com., cleveland.com, 5 June 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1