That's the logic in japan, not here!
Many houses in Dupont circle have lasted for over a century. Obviously they are townhouses and don't have gardens around there.
After the French Quarter burned down in 1788 the Spanish applied their rules of construction that's why many buildings from the 18th century and early 19th century remain in New Orleans.
I'm not saying some buildings can stop a fire like this but they can certainly face it in a better way and last longer preventing other constructions from being destroyed.