inferno

Etymology

From Italian inferno (“hell”), from Latin infernus (“of the lower regions”), inferna (“the lower regions”); see infernal. The meaning "big fire" came as a figurative use from the traditional idea of hellfire.

noun

1. A place or situation resembling Hell.
   At each sudden explosion in the inferno below they sprang back from the brink [of the volcanic crater]. 1899, D. C. Worcester, The Philippine Islands and Their People
2. A large fire; a conflagration.
   Blast after blast, fiery outbreak after fiery outbreak, like a flaming barrage from within,[…]most of Edison's grounds soon became an inferno. As though on an incendiary rampage, the fires systematically devoured the contents of Edison's headquarters and facilities. 2006, Edwin Black, chapter 1, in Internal Combustion
   Unfortunately for Admiral Kurita, this is where the good news ends. The fire started by New Jerseys hit amidships has spread, and there is now a towering inferno' that occupies the middle third of the Japanese battleship. 5 May 2021, Drachinifel, 34:59 from the start, in Battle of Samar - What if TF34 was there?, archived from the original on 2022-08-08