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John's statement about Jesus baptizing "in the Holy Spirit and in fire" is partly explained in the previous and following verses:

"But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?...And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire." - Matt. 3:7, 10-12

Does this fire baptism save or destroy?

Yes, John baptized in water, as did Jesus:

"After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized....And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him." - John 3:22-23, 26

Was Jesus baptizing in the Holy Spirit and in fire? Or in water?

John was preparing the people for the Messiah and His kingdom, "preaching the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins" (Luke 3:3) The people "were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." (Matt. 3:6) I don't see how they could've been "turning to Jesus" as you suggest, since John was baptizing before Jesus had manifested Himself.

We must also keep in mind that this all took place before the new covenant had been established. Perhaps Apollos had been in Judea when John was baptizing and preaching, but not afterward when the gospel was being preached by the apostles. The Holy Spirit was not yet being received by the faithful. That would begin at Pentecost, at the fulfilling of Joel's prophecy.

Those in Ephesus (in Acts 19) had been baptized in John's "baptism of repentance". But when they heard of the baptism of Jesus, they were baptized into Him. Why?

Did they receive the Holy Spirit when they were baptized into Jesus? Or when Paul laid his hands on them?

You have to...They are intertwined...Baptism without faith and repentance would be meaningless...

Okay, you're right. We need to look at everything the Bible says about what to do to be saved, and not exclude those which discuss baptism.

John's statement about Jesus baptizing "in the Holy Spirit and in fire" is partly explained in the previous and following verses:

Interesting verses there...

"But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?...And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire." - Matt. 3:7, 10-12

Does this fire baptism save or destroy?

I don't believe the baptism in itself destroys...

Looking at the verse, there are Sadducees and Pharisees coming down to get baptized...John knows their heart...There will be no repentance on their part...They have only bad fruit...They can get baptized all day long and it will have no affect on them...They're going to end up in the fire with or without baptism...

The fire is their end...

Now Jesus who comes afterward and baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire to me is a reference to the Judgment Seat of Christ...Where those who are in Christ and indwelt with the Holy Spirit will have their unfruitful works burned up...

Yes, John baptized in water, as did Jesus:

Of course Jesus didn't baptize anyone with water; but his disciples did...Jesus baptized only with the Holy Ghost...

Was Jesus baptizing in the Holy Spirit and in fire? Or in water?

Again, Jesus didn't baptize anyone in water...But his disciples did, and still do...

I don't see how they could've been "turning to Jesus" as you suggest, since John was baptizing before Jesus had manifested Himself.

That was John's message...Jesus the Messiah was coming...And soon...Get ready to go into his kingdom...

God was selectively dropping the Holy Spirit on people as he did in the O.T....

Joh_20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

That was before Joel's prophecy was spoken of by Peter...John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit...

Those in Ephesus (in Acts 19) had been baptized in John's "baptism of repentance". But when they heard of the baptism of Jesus, they were baptized into Him. Why?
Did they receive the Holy Spirit when they were baptized into Jesus? Or when Paul laid his hands on them?

Likely when Paul laid his hand on them...They likely weren't baptized 'into' Jesus but were baptized with the Holy Ghost...You'll notice in Joel's prophecy they are not indwelt with the Holy Spirit but the Spirit lands on them so that they can provide signs for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah...

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the 'we in Christ and He in us' was a mystery until it was revealed to Paul and then he revealed it to us, the church...