small fire at lift pump area
 

Would someone educate me on the purpose of the 2 wires that seem to loop from the lower to the upper section of the lift pump on a '96? They're pretty heavy gauge. I ask because mine shorted out and started a small fire. Luckily I had the hood open and caught it early.
I can't help but notice how my old '89 doesn't have these wires. That leads me to think it's probably some EPA mandated add-on. It was about 70° and I had just started the truck when this happened. It started and ran normally until I switched off to deal with the fire.
In advance,thanks for the help. The information from this site has masked my ignorance several times already.

They are the power wires for the fuel heater. The heater element is in the black plastic case towards the front of the engine- to the left of the lift pump. The fuel line comes in from the pump, through the screen and heater, and out to the fuel filter housing. I deleted mine, meaning that I removed the heater and clipped/capped the wires. The heater does very little, and its a source for air leaks in the fuel system. And, obviously, fires.

That should be the wiring to the fuel heater, It won't hurt the truck at all to bypass.

Thank you both. I will kill the power to it and carry on Thanks again

Thank you sir.