What action should immediately follow discovering a fire?

When a fire is discovered, the most immediate and critical action is to evacuate the area to ensure the safety of all individuals present. Evacuating minimizes the risk of injury or danger from smoke inhalation and fire spread. People should move quickly and calmly to a designated safe location, following emergency protocols established for such situations.

While reporting the fire and calling emergency services are essential steps, these actions should follow the immediate need to ensure personal and others' safety. Attempting to extinguish the fire may be appropriate in some controlled and minor situations, but it can also lead to unnecessary risk if the fire is beyond immediate control. The priority should always be on evacuating before addressing communication or fire suppression.