In the scenario where a tornado knocks over a lamp and starts a fire, what is the proximate cause of loss?

The proximate cause of loss is the event that set in motion a chain of events leading to the damage or destruction of property. In this scenario, the tornado is the initial event that caused the lamp to be knocked over, which subsequently led to the fire. This sequence indicates that the tornado directly resulted in the property damage through its immediate physical effects.

While fire, smoke, and water damage may be consequences of the tornado's action, they do not qualify as the proximate cause. The fire is the result of the lamp being knocked over, smoke arises from the fire, and water damage is typically associated with firefighting efforts. Therefore, the tornado, being the initial cause of the entire situation, is accurately identified as the proximate cause of loss in this context.