The smoke seems to be rising from the highest point of the anthill,
jumbled maze of narrow alleyways and crumbling tenements, very close
to the area where he so recently lived.  

Gerryn knows the area well, the tumble of small workshops, houses of
ill-repute, and multiply-occupied houses with whole families living in
a single small room.  Although he's been forced to flee, he still has
a lot of friends that live in the area.  And if the fire burns out of
control it might consume the entire anthill.
--
Tim Hall, http://www.kalyr.com

"It's a fine line between stupid and clever"
 - Spinal Tap