Mavi Boncuk |
Over the centuries Istanbul has been the scene of devastating fires. Wood was the cheapest material and readily available along the Black Sea. It wasn’t until the end of the 19th century that people began to take seriously the need to use materials other than wood in their buildings. Almost every year until then, wooden structures had been the source of fires. The first ferman or imperial decree about firefighting was issued already in 1560; the Janissaries were put in charge of firefighting; the first fire engine was built by a French engineer in 1714; and Istanbul has had a fire department organized along modern lines for only 85 years.
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Over the centuries Istanbul has been the scene of devastating fires. Wood was the cheapest material and readily available along the Black Sea. It wasn’t until the end of the 19th century that people began to take seriously the need to use materials other than wood in their buildings. Almost every year until then, wooden structures had been the source of fires. The first ferman or imperial decree about firefighting was issued already in 1560; the Janissaries were put in charge of firefighting; the first fire engine was built by a French engineer in 1714; and Istanbul has had a fire department organized along modern lines for only 85 years.
