It is well known that, as well as Scriptural accounts such as that of Sodom and Gomorrah, there are legends in many parts of the world about great destruction by fire. It is not so well known that in many places there are marks, both on artifacts and on the face of the earth itself, of violent conflagration. Some of these stories and pieces of evidence are collected here, in what, it is hoped, will be the beginning of the investigation and eventual understanding of these fires in past times.