An aircraft that includes an outer skin having an opening formed therein, and a cargo compartment including a plurality of side walls that define an interior of the cargo compartment. The plurality of side walls are positioned such that the interior is in flow communication with the opening. The aircraft further includes a hinged panel coupled to the outer skin. The hinged panel is operable between a closed position for covering the opening and an open position for exposing the interior to an ambient environment outside the aircraft. A release device is configured to retain the hinged panel in the closed position, and configured to release the hinged panel for movement into the open position when an unexpected combustion event forms in the interior.