What is the meaning of the Hadith: "The Fire complained to Allah, 'Some of me has consumed others,'" and what is meant by giving it two breaths: one in summer and one in winter?

Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The Fire complained to its Lord, saying: 'My Lord, some parts of me consume other parts.' So He permitted it two breaths: one breath in winter and one breath in summer. The most intense heat you experience is from its heat, and the most intense cold you experience is from its extreme cold."

Scholars have differed on the meaning of this Hadith, holding two views:

The first view, which is the preferred and correct one, is that the complaint is literal, and that Allah caused the Fire to speak, just as He causes everything to speak. And that the intense heat and cold we experience in this world are from the breaths of Hellfire.

The second view is that the complaint is metaphorical and figurative, and that the Hadith came to simplify the meaning, and that the intense heat resembles the fire of Hell.

The first view is the preferred one due to the apparent meaning of the Hadith, and because there is no impediment to taking a word at its literal meaning unless there is evidence that diverts it, and there is nothing here that calls for allegorical interpretation. For Allah is capable of making the Fire speak, and it is mentioned in the Qur'an that Hell will speak on the Day of Resurrection, and that the skins of the disbelievers will also speak.