In an ordinary fire, the peat would be less effective from the escape of unburned carbon in the smoke.
"Peat and its Uses as Fertilizer and Fuel"
Samuel William Johnson
Bands of warriors were attempting to scale the walls and being driven back by the deadly fire of the Spaniards and the pikes and clubs of their Tlascalan allies, while from the roofs of such of the neighbouring houses as remained unburned, and more especially from the platform of the great teocalli, on which I must presently give up the ghost, arrows, javelins, and stones were poured by thousands into the courtyards and outer works of the Spanish quarters.
"Montezuma's Daughter"
H. Rider Haggard
Therefore, he formed the men into shifts: eight hours in the gravel and tending the fires, eight hours chopping cord-wood and digging in the ruins of MacNair's storehouse for the remains of unburned grub, and eight hours' rest.
"The Gun-Brand"
James B. Hendryx