Read this excerpt from "The Great San
Francisco Fire."

More than 50 fires scorched the city like an
inferno in the three days following the
earthquake.

How does the author's use of the phrase
scorched the city like an inferno affect the
passage?

It highlights the idea that this disaster was preventable.

It helps convey the disastrous nature of the event.

It gives the passage its incredulous
tone.

It stresses the pessimistic attitude
of the writer.