Firemen More Interesting Than Dogs

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While the dogs of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) often attract attention, some visitors find the firemen even more interesting. Fires are quite common in the city, especially in the older areas where most buildings are made of wood. These wooden houses are dry and catch fire quickly, turning small flames into dangerous blazes in just a few minutes The Pigeons of the Bayezid Mosque.

Even though the city takes precautions, many of them seem old-fashioned or even amusing when compared to the fire departments in modern cities. The Turkish fire system may look strange to foreigners, but it has its own unique style and traditions.

Watching the City from the Towers

There are three main towers used to watch for fires across the city. One is the Galata Tower, located in the European or foreign district. The second is the Serasker Tower in Stamboul, the old part of the city. The third is on a high hill on the Asiatic side of the Bosphorus.

From these towers, watchmen stand guard day and night. Using telescopes, they carefully scan the city’s rooftops, looking for smoke or flames. When a possible fire is spotted, the watchmen consult each other to confirm what they see Rose Festival Tour.

If they believe it is a fire, signals are sent to warn the public. On the tower across the Bosphorus, a cannon is fired to alert everyone. On the other towers, large red bamboo balls are hung out during the day. At night, a red balloon is raised along with flags in different shapes and colors to show the exact location of the fire, much like ship signals.

The Firemen and Their Alarming Methods

Once the signal is given, half-naked runners are sent into the streets, shouting loudly to tell people where the fire is. These runners act fast, spreading the alarm on foot. Meanwhile, the firemen, waiting at their stations, quickly strip down to just a shirt and a pair of drawers. They grab their small hand pumps, hoist them onto their shoulders, and rush to the scene of the fire.

The fire brigades race each other through the streets, because the first team to arrive usually gets the job. However, there’s a catch—these firemen are not paid by the government.

A Bargain Before the Fire Is Fought

When the firemen arrive, they don’t start working right away. Since they are unpaid volunteers, they first negotiate with the house owner. The owner must offer a fair payment, or “baksheesh”, for their help. In many cases, neighbors also contribute money, especially if their own houses are in danger.

Only after receiving payment will the firemen begin pumping water to fight the flames. This unusual system might surprise modern visitors, but it reflects both the creativity and the challenges of living in old Constantinople.

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