towering inferno is a colliquialism that relates to two separate aspects. Towering means large,tall, overwhelming, and inferno means flames. The use of towering inferno can either mean a very large flame, or a coined term meaning "overwhelming destruction".

摩天大楼失火记/火烧摩天楼 If you refer to a fire as an inferno, you mean that it is burning fiercely and causing great destruction. 大火灾