put (something) to the torch
To set fire to something with the intention of destroying it. The soldiers stormed through the village, putting homes to the torch as they went. Many holy scriptures of the religion were put to the torch during the war.
put to the torch (or put a torch to)
destroy by burning.put something to the ˈtorch
(literary) set fire to something deliberately: The original castle was put to the torch in the 18th century, although it was rebuilt later. put to the torch
To destroy by fire; burn down.