No, homes do not explode. They burn when direct flame touches the home for an extended time. Radiant heat or embers preheat the ignitable portion of the home to the point that they give off gas that ignites. The most common cause of ignition is from embers that can get in small spaces and smolder. Often these embers can enter into the house through unscreened vents, effectively catching the house on fire from the inside. The speed with which a house ignites depends on the amount of energy (heat) that the home is exposed to.
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