firestorm

[fahyuh r-stawrm] /ˈfaɪərˌstɔrm/
noun
1.
an atmospheric phenomenon, caused by a large fire, in which the rising column of air above the fire draws in strong winds often accompanied by rain.
2.
a raging fire of great intensity, as one fueled by oil or gas, that spreads rapidly.
Also, fire storm.
Origin
1575-85; fire + storm
British Dictionary definitions for fire storm

firestorm

/ˈfaɪəˌstɔːm/
noun
1.
an uncontrollable blaze sustained by violent winds that are drawn into the column of rising hot air over the burning area: often the result of heavy bombing
Slang definitions & phrases for fire storm

firestorm

noun

An intense and often destructive spate of action or reaction: The report has already generated a firestorm of criticism/ A lawyer from Time-Warner expected a firestorm of protest from the shareholders after the vote

[fr the catastrophic and unquenchable fires caused by aerial bombing of cities in World War II]


Encyclopedia Article for fire storm

violent convection caused by a continuous area of intense fire and characterized by destructively violent surface indrafts. Sometimes it is accompanied by tornado-like whirls that develop as hot air from the burning fuel rises. Such a fire is beyond human intervention and subsides only upon the consumption of everything combustible in the locality.

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