fire has broken out

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'fire has broken out' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence when describing a situation in which a fire has started unexpectedly, usually in a public place. For example: "Word quickly spread that a fire had broken out in the nearby apartment complex."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

A major fire has broken out on Eastbourne pier.

The Guardian

A fire has broken out in Fleet Street in a first-floor flat above one of London's oldest pubs.

Independent

A huge fire has broken out at an industrial estate in north London with almost 100 firefighters battling the blaze.

Independent

In "Gone for Good," a raging fire has broken out in the corner of an otherwise ordinary living room.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, a fire has broken out in the kitchen, and a cloud of smoke spreads over the dining room.

The New York Times - Arts

A tyre fire has broken out across an industrial state in Gravesend, sending black smoke plumes into the sky that are visible from 20 miles away.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

A fire had broken out shortly before the explosion.

The New York Times

A fire had broken out on one of the production lines and was quickly spreading out of control.

The New York Times

Over the weekend, a fire had broken out in the Rana rubble, even as rescue workers still searched for bodies.

The New Yorker

Parts of the plant were engulfed in flames, but it was unclear whether the fire had broken out before or after the blasts, according to television reports.

The New York Times

According to a 2000 F.B.I. report of the case, investigators found evidence that a fire had broken out in Ms. Good Buffalo's house.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on a fire, follow up with details about the location, extent of damage, and any casualties. For example: "A "fire has broken out" at a residential building in downtown. Firefighters are on the scene."

Common error

Instead of saying "It was reported that a "fire has broken out"," directly state "A "fire has broken out"." This makes your writing more active and immediate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fire has broken out" functions as a declarative statement, announcing the commencement of a fire. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct usage in conveying this specific event, as demonstrated in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fire has broken out" is a common and grammatically correct way to announce the start of a fire, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most frequently used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media reporting. When writing or speaking about a fire, it's important to use active voice and provide specific details about the location and impact. While alternatives such as "a fire started" or "a blaze ignited" exist, "fire has broken out" remains a direct and widely understood way to convey this information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fire started

Focuses on the commencement of the fire, changing the verb phrase.

a fire erupted

Replaces 'broken out' with 'erupted', conveying a sudden and forceful start.

a blaze ignited

Uses 'blaze' for fire and 'ignited' for starting, altering both noun and verb.

fire commenced

A more formal alternative, replacing 'broken out' with 'commenced'.

a fire is raging

Shifts the focus to the ongoing nature of the fire rather than its start.

flames appeared

Describes the visual manifestation of fire, rather than its outbreak.

a conflagration began

Uses a more dramatic term for fire ('conflagration') and 'began' for starting.

an inferno sparked

Employs 'inferno' to emphasize the intensity of the fire.

a wildfire is burning

Specifically refers to a fire in a natural setting, changing the context slightly.

a heatwave ignited

Shifts the cause of combustion from unknown reasons to a heatwave.

FAQs

What does it mean when you say a "fire has broken out"?

Saying a "fire has broken out" means that a fire has suddenly started, often unexpectedly. It's a common way to report the beginning of a fire event.

Which is more appropriate, "fire broke out" or "fire has broken out"?

Both "fire broke out" and "fire has broken out" are correct. "Fire broke out" is simple past tense, while "fire has broken out" is present perfect tense. The present perfect emphasizes the recent occurrence or relevance to the present situation.

What can I say instead of "fire has broken out"?

You can use alternatives like "a fire started", "a fire erupted", or "a blaze ignited" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a shooting has broken out" instead of "fire has broken out"?

While the structure is similar, "shooting has broken out" and "fire has broken out" refer to different events. "Fire has broken out" indicates the start of a fire, while "shooting has broken out" indicates the start of a shooting incident.