noun
wartime fire; fires of war
Literal fires caused by warfare, such as bombing or shelling. Often used in historical or news contexts.
See also: 兵火
空襲で町は戦火に包まれた。
The town was engulfed in wartime fire from the air raid.
noun
war; wartime destruction; horrors of war
Figurative extension: the destructive impact and suffering of war in general. Often interchangeable with 戦禍.
See also:
多くの文化財が戦火で失われた。
Many cultural properties were lost to the destruction of war.
戦火を逃れて国外へ避難した。
They fled the horrors of war and evacuated abroad.