How did they extinguish the reactor core fire in Chernobyl?

The reactor core fire at Chernobyl was extinguished using a combination of water, sand, boron, and lead dropped from helicopters. Firefighters and emergency responders initially tried to cool the reactor with water, but this approach proved dangerous due to the intense heat and radiation. Ultimately, the mixture of materials was used to smother the fire and absorb radioactive particles, effectively containing the situation. This effort was crucial in preventing further release of radioactive material into the environment.