What Was The Unexpected Cause Of Many Of These Fires?

[wiltsman]

In the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco more people were killed by fires than by the earthquake. But what was the unexpected cause of many of the fires?

This is a puzzle I'm trying to solve. I'm informed that you have to 'think outside the box' to obtain the answer. I also believe that it's a lateral thinking puzzle obtained from one of Paul Sloane's puzzle books if anyone has a copy.

Any ideas - please.

[grasscarp]

Following the earthquake, gas-fed fires broke out across San Francisco. Fires caused by the fire department's ill-fated use of dynamite and campfires set by evacuees quickly burned out of control. The fact that the fire alarm system was knocked out by the glass alarms shattering in the earthquake, that the water mains were ruptured and a chimney fell on the main fire station meant that the fires raged uncontrolled. This may not help you but I found it fascinating researching the earthquake wiltsman.

[Fitzer]

Plus (or so I was told) damage caused by earthquake wasn't covered by insurance whereas fire was!

[wiltsman]

Thanks grasscarp, very interesting, but as it's a lateral thinking puzzle, I'm more tempted to go with Fitzer's answer.

Any other suggestions welcome!