Agria 41. (Az Egri Múzeum Évkönyve - Annales Musei Agriensis, 2005)

B. Pap Györgyi: Tüzek a XVIII. századi Eger életében

Györgyi В. Pap Fires in the Life of 18th Century Eger Fire is an primordial element which, while being necessary to human beings, can also turn out to be one of their fiercest enemies. Eger was particularly susceptible to fires, both on castle hill and down in the medieval town situated in the narrow valley next to the stream. While castle hill was exposed to the risk of fire because of its strategic military importance the medieval town's meandering, narrow, densely built-up streets presented dangers of their own. During the 18th century it was the bishops and the local government that recognised the importance of fire prevention, and took the measures necessary to both avoid fire and extinguish those fires which did break out. Nevertheless, it was unavoidable that fires would occur during the period in question. While flooding was restricted to the central parts of the town, fire was likely to occur anywhere, although from the mid 18th century most of the fires took place in the most densely populated suburbs. As pipe smokers were listed among the causes of fires in the 18th century, a number of prohibitive measures were taken against tobacco users. The restrictions and punishments, however, failed to reduce smoking during the 18th century. In the densely build-up areas with their narrow streets it was the wooden houses with their highly combustible thatched roofs that presented the greatest danger. Because poor chimneys could also cause fires they were checked and brushed regularly, while building regulations were introduced to reduce the incidence of fire. Despite the municipal council's fire prevention statutes, there were numerous fires in Eger during the 18th century, which slowed down the town's development. Effective fire prevention only really started in Eger during the 19th century when the Eger Voluntary Fire Brigade came in being in 1874. 216