Crossword Genius

Blazing away (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

afire

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'blazing away' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'away' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'away' could be 'a' (abbreviation as used in sports fixtures) and 'a' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'fire' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for afire that I've seen before include "in flames" , "Ablaze" , "Blazing - excited" , "Burning" , "Alight" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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