He explained that the civil rights movement was a peaceful one and that he would thus support all movements who preached for peace. The anti-war movement fit his beliefs because they were fighting for peace and he and his civil rights movement also fought for peace, so there was no reason for the two movements to not be allies. He explained that he doesn't support intervention in that part of the world and preached that a peaceful solution must be found.
It most likely gives a negative connotation because something being on fire is usually not a good thing. So if your marriage is on fire it is probably not going so well and may need to be put out or in other words Divorce
