Who Burnt Rome?

The Great Fire of Rome was the single most destructive force ever encountered by the Roman Empire, lasting nine days and leaving 10 of Rome's 14 districts burnt beyond recognition.

The emperor Nero was widely believed to have started the fire as a means of destroying his aristocratic adversaries and clearing space for his Golden Palace. Nero in turn blamed the Christians for starting the fire and a large wave of prosecution started.

However, mud sticks and by 68AD Nero had alienated the Senate, the Army and the people and was declared a public enemy so he fled to the country and committed suicide.

Two thousand years later, vital questions surrounding the fire remain unanswered. Was the fire an act of arson or an accident, and who really started it?