Old Edinburgh suffered, like many large cities of the time, with the constant risk of fire caused by old wooden housing. 200 years ago in 1824 there were a series of fires in Edinburgh, in fact one per month. The largest however way the Great Fire on the 15th Nov. Over 3 days 400-500 families lost their homes and 13 people died.
The engraving above shows the second day with the Tron Church steeple on fire. The church survived but the steeple, bell and clock were destroyed. Through the smoke you can see the spire of St Giles church. Much of the damage occurred around these two churches going deep into the Cowgate area below.
The fire, although terrible, cleared away many dangerous buildings leading to safer stone structures being built in the area. It also proved the worth of the world’s first Municipal Fire Brigade, which had just been started a month before, on the 10th October 1824, by another great Scots pioneer James Braidwood (1800 – 1861). You can find a statue of James in Parliament Square next to St Giles.
For those interested in finding out more about this fascinating period of Edinburgh history you will enjoy a visit to the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage just off Leith Walk.
Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage