Fire set to a lab on freight carrier (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
canal boat
'freight carrier' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'fire set to a lab' is the wordplay.
'fire' becomes 'can' (dismiss from job).
'set' indicates anagramming the letters (instruction to set the letters).
'to'+'a'+'lab'='toalab'
'toalab' with letters rearranged gives 'alboat'.
'can'+'alboat'='CANAL-BOAT'
'on' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for canal boat that I've seen before include "Waterways vessel" , "One for inland water cruising" , "Inland waterway vessel" , "Narrow vessel" , "craft?" .)