Cryptic crossword clue
Matches used when building is in flames? 10

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word SEMIFINALS

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Matches" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case matches = semifinals.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does SEMIFINALS mean?

SEMIFINALS noun
  1. A playoff in the round with only four players or teams left, the stage before the final.
  2. (general) A competition that narrows a field of contestants (semifinalists) to a set of finalists, for a subsequent final.

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