City on fire: human tragedies and market strategies in 18th century London

Abstract

London was a city deprived of a professional fire prevention unit until 1832. In the 18th century voluntary parish-based networks served to provide firemen, although their efforts usually proved insufficient against the calamity. In this respect London was much behind Paris, or even American colonial towns like Boston. London monthlies of the 18th century are used to assess the impact of urban fires on the reading public, showcase both the incidents and efforts to limit the damage. Although they do not provide a key for a reliable statistical assessment they indicate that fires were reported in detail as a tragic, and often fatal memento of hazards and as well as a warning. In the age of Newcomen’s and Watt’s inventions and in the scientific spirit of the age the pages of London monthlies also reflected upon an ongoing debate on empirical
experiments and technological improvements — such as „fire engines” and water pumps — implemented to prevent fires and diminish the scale of damages. Finally, another result of frequent fires was the rapid growth of the insurance companies, whose records provide a unique insight into London’s inhabitants financial and social position, as well as mark their ability to make a business out of fire threats and readiness to insure property against it.