Sounds like there was some kind of bad grain or plague and the only way was burning everything. Since the dude and the FL are worried about washing hands, smelly things and health, that could be the case.
I recall that one of the main causes for the Salem Witch Trials was some mold found in the grain and baked into bread...so that could be the case.
Sounds good. Let's see what happens ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~
This is becoming like Apothecary Diaries but less mystery and conspiracy!
So that's how he got his nickname...but I have a feeling that's not the WHOLE story.