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I had almost the exact same situation happen with my 316 just before I bought it. The twin 40's set their filter foam socks on fire, which then spread to the underbonnet soundproofing - this was caused by backfire from the badly tuned carbs. Helped me negotiate a pretty hefty discount from the seller - I think it terrified him and he just wanted rid after that! I now have an extinguisher under the driver's seat.

funnily enough almost the same happened to me last weekend

I had decided to move some cars about and sort out one of the Jeeps- got my 12 year old to squrt easy start into carb (Holley 390) without aircleaner- Jeep cut out and small fire in carb was the result! Easy enough to blow it out with a deep breath- but you have to get there quick! Goes with the territory with Holleys - so think yourselves lucky you (mostly) have injection!

On another occasion we had a team in the Birkett 3 hour at Snett in the mid nineties- 4 cars all american team. Butch broke gearbox so one of the team got me in his 69 Mercury Cougar. I was ready to go in the relay in the pits and tried starting engine- pulled away and then stalled- then everyone started hopping around and shouting- so I jumped out into flames! The carb had a bit of grit and was shooting petrol up into bonnet- they had foolishly removed the aircleaner and as the car had already done a stint the headers were still hot- hence fire! Anyway I was fine since I had a race suit and the fire marshall soon put the fire out!
I have it all on a Video- sometime I should You tube these adventures for posterity!!!