chemistry in Halifax Explosion?

Question

how did Halifax Explosion involve thermodynamic concepts of chemistry?

The reactants were:
223 tonnes of benzol
56 tonnes nitrocellulose
1602 tonnes wet picric acid
544 tonnes dry picric acid (highly explosive, and extremely sensitive to shock)
227 tonnes TNT

Answer 1

When the two ships struck, many of the barrels of gasoline were ripped open and a spark from the collision ignitedted a fire. Some of the leaking gasoline drained into the hold where some of the explosives were stored. The heat of the fire raised the temperature of the explosives and set off an explosive blast that destroyed much of Halifax Harbor.