fire accident or fire incident?

[Sitifan]

Which is correct, fire accident or fire incident?

[Alan]

Hi Sitifan,

There is a difference in meaning rather than a question of correctness. ‘Incident’ refers to something that has happened - an incident in which a fire broke out. ‘Accident’ refers to something that happened as a result of chance or carelessness - the fire started by accident when someone threw a lighted cigarette on the ground.

Alan

[Torsten]

Dear Sitifan,

How are things with you in Taiwan? In addition to Alan’s explanation you might want to read

Incident vs. accident

. Incident– a single distinct event Accident– anything that happens by chance without an apparent cause; also, a mishap, especially one causing injury or death. Some incidents are accidental, others are purposeful. On the other hand, almost all accidents are incidents. .

Please let me know what you think.
Regards,
Torsten

TOEIC listening, question-response: You didn’t shut down your computer, did you?

[Sitifan]

@Mister Micawber

.
Incident– a single distinct event

Accident– anything that happens by chance without an apparent cause; also, a mishap, especially one causing injury or death.

Some incidents are accidental, others are purposeful. On the other hand, almost all accidents are incidents.
.

Why use the word “almost”?
Can anyone give me an example of an incident which is not an accident?

[Alan]

Hi,

Yes. An incident was reported last night in the high street when a man was arrested by the police for causing an obstruction on the road The man did this on purpose, it wasn’t an accident.

Alan

[Sitifan]

Sorry!!! I mad a serious typo.
I think that all accidents are incidents. Why say that “almost” all accidents are incidents?
Can anyone give me an example of an accident which is not an incident?

[Alan]

You ll have to take up the ‘almost’ with the original poster. To answer your question - I think an incident is really only an incident when it is of some relatively serious nature. If I spill coffee over my keyboard, it’s an accident but that hardly warrants the description of ‘incident’.

Alan