From the exterior, a crew directs a hose stream through the window of a burning room. This is a(n) __________ attack.

The action of directing a hose stream through the window of a burning room is classified as an indirect attack. In fire suppression, an indirect attack involves applying water to structures that are on fire from a distance, typically through openings such as windows, rather than entering the space itself to combat the flames directly. This technique is often utilized when conditions within the room are too hazardous for firefighters to enter safely or when there is a need to cool the fire from the outside to prevent it from spreading.

Indirect attacks can be particularly effective because they help to reduce the heat and lower the temperature within the fire area before firefighters make entry. This method can assist in managing the fire's spread and protecting any potential victims or firefighters in the area.

While a direct attack entails entering the burning space and applying water directly on the flames, a combination attack involves using both direct and indirect methods. Flanking attacks involve attacking the fire from the side out to the front, which is different from the described scenario of attacking through a window. Each approach has its specific scenarios and benefits, but in this case, treating the fire from outside through a window characterizes an indirect attack.