Defect in hose that fireman uses (6)
I believe the answer is:
ladder
This clue could be a double definition.
'defect' is the first definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to natural events as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'hose that fireman uses' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ladder that I've seen before include "Climbing aid" , "ranking table" , "Framework for scaling, usually portable" , "Climbing structure" , "squash club ranking?" .)