Požáry - Soupis největších požárů v českých zemích do roku 1918 – Nitra Josef (2021)

Journalist and historian Josef Nitra captured the interest of those interested in the history of Czech firefighting back in 2020 when his book 'Pompiéři, požárníci, hasiči' was published – the most comprehensive work on the origins and development of fire protection in our territory. He now presents an encyclopedia that loosely follows this book. In alphabetical order, it contains the largest list of fires, from the first documented ones to those recorded in the modern history of our state up to 1918. The impressive description of 1838 affected locations does not focus solely on available bare facts but also utilizes accompanying period illustrations, quotes from old chronicles, information about fire prevention measures, and the first fire brigades. The reader must inevitably conclude that sometimes these were tragic, but also more or less curious events caused by human negligence. However, the consequences were often fatal – many Czech towns, villages, and noble residences were reduced to ashes down to the last building. It is still necessary to remember these tragedies. The human tragedies of our ancestors caused by fire are often forgotten, and in the age of insurance companies, charitable organizations, and supportive social networks, we cannot even imagine what it meant to suffer a fire.