Burning is a chemical process in which the material which burns combines with oxygen with the generation of large amounts of heat. As a result the temperature of the burning material rises to several hundred degrees Celsius and it may burst into flames. Therefore, any substance that readily combines with oxygen at a few hundred degrees and produces a lot of heat will burn if ignited. Such substances such as paper, wood, cloth, plastics, rubber, etc. are usually rich in carbon and hydrogen. Some volatile liquids such as alcohol, ether, petrol, etc. catch fire easily because they produce highly combustible vapours.
