Unlike ordinary fire, thermite reaction cannot be stopped by pouring water. Explain.

Explanation

In ordinary fire, the water not only decreases the temperature of the burning material, it also cuts off the supply of `O_(2)`. However in thermite reaction.
`2Al + Fe_(2)O_(3) overset("Heat")rarr Al_(2)O_(3) + 2Fe`
the oxygen needed for reaction is supplied by the metal oxide (i.e, `Al_(2)O_(3)`), therefore cutting off the supply of atomospheric oxyge has no effect. Further, at high temperature (around `1270-1300 K`), Al reacts with `H_(2)O` to produce `H_(2)O` to produce `H_(2)` gas which helps to spread rather than extinguishing the fire.
`2Al + 3H_(2)O overset(11270-1300K)rarr Al_(2)O_(3) + 3H_(2)`