Defect in hose that's used by firemen (6)
I believe the answer is:
ladder
'defect' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to natural events as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ladder that I've seen before include "something that can send you in the opposite direction?" , "Means of ascent" , "Scaling device" , "Support for climber" , "Set of rungs" .)