What was the proximate cause of the loss when Jane's shed burned during a tornado?

In this scenario, the proximate cause of the loss refers to the primary event that set off a chain of causes leading to the damage. A tornado is a powerful natural phenomenon characterized by intense winds, and in Jane's case, it was the wind from the tornado that directly contributed to the loss of her shed.

When evaluating proximate cause in the context of property loss, it is essential to consider what triggered the sequence of events. The high winds from the tornado likely caused structural damage, which subsequently resulted in the fire, making the wind the fundamental cause of the incident. Essentially, without the tornado’s wind, Jane's shed might not have sustained damage severe enough to lead to a fire.

Other factors, such as fire, wall collapse, or the lantern, may be considered subsequent events or contributing factors, but they do not represent the primary source of the loss. The tornado's wind stands out as the most direct cause of the entire situation, hence why it is identified as the proximate cause of the loss.