[editor-surveyor]

.
The houses were ignited by X-ray lasers from the air.

They use the laser to heat appliances inside the house, which then ignite the frames of the houses.

[palmer]

I have not read much about X-ray lasers. But there would be evidence of superheated plasma which would easily burn through rocks, etc. A melted aluminum engine or wheel is not that uncommon. But I have not seen any pictures of melted rock.