What is situational irony?

Situational irony occurs when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually occurs. This form of irony highlights the unexpected twists of fate and alignments of circumstances in a situation, often leading to a surprising or poignant conclusion. For example, if a fire station burns down, it creates a striking contrast between the expectation of safety in a place dedicated to combating fire and the reality that it has succumbed to that very element. This unexpected outcome is the crux of situational irony, emphasizing how events can take unexpected turns, often with humorous or tragic results.