Fires over time - variety of causes?

My in-laws nearly burned their house down this past fall.

The fire started in their chimney. Fortunately, they spotted flames coming out of their chimney as they were leaving home and called the fire department.

The fire was caused by residue built up from pitch on the metal lining of the chimney. The fire department was less than happy with the state of the chimney. The chimney sweep company was less than happy with the phone call they got from my in-laws insurance company. I still don't know the results of that conflict.

My point is, when most homes in America were heated by coal or wood burning fires, how many fires were started as a result of sparks or cinders from these fires? What about steam powered machinery in factories or production plants?

Railroads certainly started their share of fires, but what about the other possible causes of fire?

Open flame in cities caused all kinds of havoc.

Given the situation in Colorado and New Mexico, I wonder if there are lots of other potential causes of fires. Not just the railroad.

I'm kind of curious to see what the 493 will look like as an oil burner. Perhaps the 498 will be rebuilt as well and get a new tender designed for efficient oil burning.

It's not all bad.