FIRE HAZARDS IN THE LABORATORY : The average science laboratory is a particularly hazardous area when it comes to fire. Flammable liquids, compressed and liquefied gases, hazardous and reactive materials, are all either in use or in store in the laboratory. In addition, there are many sources of ignition available. Before you learn about the major causes of fire, let us see in the following subsection the factors that are required for fire to burn.