History Main / FirePurifies

* In ''VideoGame/{{Serena}}'', [[spoiler:the titular character]] burns down the building she murdered her husband in. This is a wise choice- the flames destroy not only evidence, but his ghost.

* In ''WorldOfWarcraft'', after a battlefield was covered in [[ThePlague a weaponized Plague]], a group of red dragons use their fire breath to destroy the lingering disease before it could permanently poison the land. Afterward, rather than scorched, blackened earth, the ground is coated in [[GreenThumb newly-sprouted plant life.]]
* The [[WreathedInFlames Firemen]] of BioshockInfinite certainly seem to think so, given their constant claims that [[NoIndoorVoice FIRE CLEANSES!]]

This ability draws on fire's association with life and its ability to burn impurities out of metal; combining the two ideas to create a force against evil. This will often be a form of magic fire, but sometimes all fire will have this property.

* In ''WorldOfWarcraft'', after a battlefield was covered in [[ThePlague a weaponized Plague]], a group of red dragons use their fire breath to destroy the lingering disease before it could permanently poison the land.

* Cooking in general, as the high temperatures of the fire or grease used for most foods will kill most whatever germs are in the raw meat, making it safe to eat without fear of becoming poisoned.

This may be a reason why FireKeepsItDead, the trope for where burning a body prevents it from coming back to life.

%%Supertrope to [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/discussion.php?id=sdrpvkk75nu5xjy0m2xwk54k Undeath Burns]], which is where the purifying powers of fire cause the undead to be vulnerable to destruction by fire.

This ability draws on fire's association with life and its ability to burn impurities out of metal; combining the two ideas to create a force against evil. This will often be a form of MagicFire, but sometimes all fire will have this property.

* Heretics were burnt alive because it was believed that death by fire purified the soul. [[SarcasmMode Which would have been great comfort to the heretics in question, I'm sure]].

* In ''WorldOfWarcraft'', after a battlefield was covered in [[ThePlague a weaponized Plague]], a group of red dragons use their fire breath to destroy the lingering disease before it can permanently poison the land.

* Long before there was any scientific germ theory to explain disease humans had learned that fire made rotting corpses and things that had been in contact with sick people and animals harmless. If cleaning infectous things with water didn't work, fire would do the job as a last resort, which makes fire the ultimate form of purification in cultures all over the world.

* In silent western ''[[Film/HellsHinges Hell's Hinges]]'', the bad guys burn down the church. The enraged hero then sets fire to the dance hall that doubles as bad guy headquarters. The ensuing conflagration burns down the whole wicked town.

Fire has the ability to burn away imperfections and evil. It burns up evil or evil-associated creatures, such as demons and the undead, entirely, and it works more effectively against those beings than most weapons or attacks would. It can also sometimes burn away only the evil parts, leaving any pure or good parts unharmed. In such cases, it is useful for de-possessing hapless creatures who have been possessed by evil beings.

Fire has the ability to burn away imperfections and evil. This ability draws on fire's association with life and its ability to burn impurities out of metal; combining the two ideas to create a force against evil. This will often be a form of MagicFire, but sometimes all fire will have this property.

* It burns up evil or evil-associated creatures, such as demons and the undead, entirely, and it works more effectively against those beings than most weapons or attacks would.
* It can also sometimes burn away only the evil parts, leaving any pure or good parts unharmed. In such cases, it is useful for de-possessing hapless creatures who have been possessed by evil beings.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'': Among the Imperial forces, flamers are usually seen as a good metaphor for purifying the GodEmperor's enemies. [[JoanOfArchetype Sisters of Battle]] take it even further, with most squads wielding flamers or wearing hats that are on fire.

* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': In ''Deathly Hallows'', Fiendfyre turns out to be one of the few ways to destroy Horcruxes. Notable for the brilliant exchange between Harry and Dumbledore that went something like...
--> '''Dumbledore:''' However, like many creatures that dwell in [[EvilIsDeathlyCold cold]] and darkness, they fear light and warmth, which we shall therefore call to our aid should the need arise.\\
'''Harry:''' * bewildered expression* \\
'''Dumbledore:''' [[LaymansTerms Fire, Harry]].\\
'''Harry:''' Oh... right...