Re Greek fire....
I can’t remember perzactly but don’t think they used any accelerants.
They did however follow the text and built simulated boat hull sections. I don’t think they had any detailed plans of the mirror arrays but did build an array from many small polished bronze mirrors that actually gave good results. Smoke but not fire.
All things considered they attempted to follow the ancient text as closely as they could with several different interpretations of the mirror arrangement.
Seems to me that the flash point of Greek Fire components would be several hundred degrees lower than ship planking or even fabric sails. Some day the records of ships' stores will turn up and I think the question will be answered.
BTW, what was your conclusion about the ability of banded caterpillars to predict winter severity? Must be better than the Weather Channel - you could toss bones and come closer.