晚清南京消防问题研究

Firei ghting Measures in Nanjing in Late Qing Dynasty

晚清时期,南京城内外火灾的频仍给百姓的生命财产带来了极大威胁。火油的普遍使用、节日用火疏忽、拜教燃火和歹人纵火是火灾多发的几个因素。扑救大火,主要有官方和民间两种力量,其中由城市士绅领导的水龙局在灭火活动中起到了关键性作用;但是,官府和驻防军队在维护灭火活动中的秩序,抢救受灾民众的生命财产中发挥重要作用。而且,官府保持着对水龙局的牢牢控制。官府可以直接插手水龙局的人事任免,裁决水龙局运作中产生的纠纷,也可以依据各水龙局在灭火过程中的表现给予奖励或者惩罚性的措施。在灾后,除了对"火头"采取惩罚外,官府也采取了诸多措施对受灾民众进行钱粮物资上的赈济。但是,在对遭受火灾的民众赈济问题上,当时好像并没有形成一个规范的制度和具体的抚恤标准。在踊跃救火之余,水龙局还创立了专为灾民提供临时居所的暂栖所。在火灾预防上,南京城实行了太平水缸制度。同时,南京城防火措施的实施也充分了发挥保甲组织的高效功能。

During the late Qing dynasty, frequent fires inside and outside Nanjing caused by lighting, fireworks, religious activities and arson became a great threat to local residents. Fire Hose Bureaus had been established with the support from local gentry and were playing a leading role in firefighting. The government and troops were also important participants. The government had control over the personnel and operations of Fire Hose Bureaus and had the right to give incentives or impose penalties. It also provided disaster relief, though no clear standards had been established. Fire Hose Bureaus were responsible for providing shelters for the victims. In addition, fire prevention involved a water tank system and baadia organizations.