In fact, the military tries to minimize the fire and smoke generated from an explosion. What is desired from an explosion is over pressure and fragmentation. Please don't call this fragmentation shrapnel. Shrapnel is a particular design for artillery shells that is no longer in general use. Most battlefield explosions are small puffs of smoke.
Actual damage inflicted on large solid objects such as forts and houses and such are minimal.
Of course, larger artillery shells and airdrop bombs will make for a large explosion and big holes. You would have thought those Arabs had a five inch naval gun for all the damage that was done to that fort. Another thing about Hollywood and explosions is that whenever a grenade, mortar shell, bomb, whatever explodes near our hero people go flying. I have never seen so much acrobatics as when an artillery shell goes off. Contrary to what a movie shows you, people do not go flying during an explosion.