How did the Reichstag fire give Hitler more power?

The Reichstag fire took place during an election campaign. The Nazis blamed the Communists for the fire and immediately banned them from taking part in the election. Hitler used the Reichstag fire to create a panic that made it easy for him to extend rule by decree. The elections took place a week later (5 March 1933) and Hitler soon got legislation passed allowing him unlimited rule by decree.