en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_New_York_City_Fire_of_1845
1 correction found
combustible saltpeter
Saltpeter (potassium nitrate) is not combustible. Authoritative chemical references describe it as a noncombustible oxidizer that can intensify other fires.
Full reasoning
This description is chemically inaccurate.
Authoritative safety references identify potassium nitrate / saltpeter as not combustible. NOAA's CAMEO Chemicals database describes potassium nitrate as “Noncombustible, but accelerates the burning of combustible materials.” The International Chemical Safety Card for potassium nitrate likewise says: “Not combustible but enhances combustion of other substances.”
So the substance could absolutely have worsened the fire and contributed to an explosion under fire conditions, but calling the saltpeter itself “combustible” is incorrect. It is more accurately described as an oxidizer that intensifies burning rather than a material that itself burns as fuel.
2 sources
- ICSC 0184 - POTASSIUM NITRATE
FIRE & EXPLOSION: Not combustible but enhances combustion of other substances.
- POTASSIUM NITRATE | CAMEO Chemicals | NOAA
General Description: Noncombustible, but accelerates the burning of combustible materials.