Cheat code for fires: Ray of Frost.
Yeah, finding out stuff like that later in the game reminded me of the quest so often. I'm not even 100% if I had Gale or Ray of Frost available when we got there. That's why I picked Waukeen's Rest from all the other ones I loved (or hated) and would love to do again. My best guess is that I tried to find a way to sneak into the Goblin Camp past hostile guards, but I can't remember exactly.
I might be wrong, but I don't think you can put out most of the fires in and around the building definitely while the zone is still active. Some just won't react to water or frost at all, others will just reignite after a while. At least I had that problem with the big smouldering patch that blocks the path to the Zhentarim hideout. If you take a nap after saving Florrick and the trapped man, the area becomes much saver to explore and you can extinguish more obstacles, as long resting after having discovered the area seems to progress it. The trapped man also seems to live on borrowed time once you have broken down the door, while before interacting with the room you seem to be able to take your time. Not sure about Florrick.
