Such things are impossible to know as, without any Archaeological or direct (from Nero himself or close to that) historical sources.

Among contemporary historians it was agreed upon that Nero was responsible for the fire, but to which degree that believe was held by the general public is also unknown.

The neronian persecution did not happen however. Only a single source (Tacitus) mentions it, while other authors tell completely different, contradictory stories. There probably were close to no Christians living in Rome herself at that time and Tacitus, if that passage is even genuine, and not an addition (possible), or elaborated by christian scribes (very possible, all copies of the Annales stem from a 9th century copy and Tacitus)