Fire

In the bible, fire is very common.  From God appearing as a burning bush, to destroying a city with fire from the sky, to saving Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from a firey furnace.  Fire is a symbol of power and up until this time in his life, Eliezer has linked fire with his God.  Seeing the Nazi's in control of this power makes him question his faith, along with everything else he has seen.  It diminishes his hope for God to save him.  The Nazi's control everything.  They become almost God like in his eyes.

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