expression, suru verb (special)
be reduced to ashes; go up in smoke
Literary expression meaning to be completely destroyed by fire, leaving nothing behind. Often used in formal or written contexts.
See also: 烏有に帰す
大火で町の大半が烏有に帰した。
Most of the town was reduced to ashes in the great fire.
Synonymous literary expression also meaning 'to be reduced to ashes'. 烏有に帰する is slightly less common and more classical in feel.
From Chinese 烏有 (wūyǒu, 'nothingness') + に帰する ('to return to'). The phrase literally means 'to return to nothingness', used figuratively for complete destruction by fire.