The Fire Summary and Analysis

Chapter Two's construction is straightforward but not entirely chronological. The focus shifts between significant individuals more than once and—like Chapter One—attempts to recount a several-hour block independent of other individual's experiences. This makes the text easy to read and understand and aids materially in the presentation of facts. The chapter focuses on the day of the detonation.

Tanimoto ran into the street and was shocked by the vista of destruction. He saw a file of bloody soldiers stagger down the street and then took the arm of a dazed old woman who was staggering along and crying out. He took the woman and her infant to a nearby assembly point where he was surprised to see dozens of people already awaiting medical treatment. Not understanding the nature of the attack, he was surprised that the...