the.com/conflagration
a fire that outgrew the word fire and demanded a bigger one.
latin rootsFrom conflagrare, to burn up completely.
scale mattersImplies destruction across whole towns, not campfires.
firestorm cousinBig ones generate their own gale-force winds.
figurative useAlso means sudden eruption of war or conflict.
great chicago1871 blaze leveled 3 square miles overnight.