RE: FIRE, FIRE!! Stupid instructor stunt!
I got sloppy while welding in the garage and left a small cotton rag where sparks could fall on it. Normally sparks just burn through cotton, like my jeans, tee shirts, etc. Back in the house, 30 minutes later, my wife in complaining about smelling smoke. Sure enough that rag was smoldering.
It's too easy to become complacent and the consequences can be severe.
Jack