conflagration

 
Pronunciation: /ˌkɒnfləˈgreɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

  • an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property: tinder-dry conditions sparked fears of a conflagration in many drought-devastated communities

Origin:

late 15th century (denoting consumption by fire): from Latin conflagratio(n-), from the verb conflagrare, from con- (expressing intensive force) + flagrare 'to blaze'