Successful firefighting in the Rauschgasse in Bolzano

Tyrol.

Bolzano, 20 Jan. Today, immediately after 4 o'clock in the morning, the fire trumpet of our garrison called the townsfolk to assist against a fire that had broken out in the Rauschgasse. Even though the solid construction of the greater part of our town, given the existing regulations and firefighting establishments, provides protection against spreading fires, this misfortune struck this time precisely a quarter, and within it a row of houses and stables, whose construction and interior arrangements could have made the blaze extremely dangerous without the swiftest precautions. Yet only a few minutes after the alarm was raised, the firefighting equipment was already at the scene of danger, the pump masters on their engines, and the fountain master at the distant water intake, by means of which sufficient water can be instantly supplied to all town alleys at any season of the year. - Several brave citizens, heedless of the danger of suffocation, leaped via fire ladders into the first floor to prevent the wooden flooring from burning through, while in the neighbouring houses hot water was boiled to prevent the pumps from freezing. With the greatest composure and presence of mind, everyone fulfilled their duty at their post, and no untimely zeal disrupted, in the very narrow alley where the firefighting engines could operate on only one side in extremely confined space, the orders and expedient leadership of the authorities. Thus, within the span of an hour, without notable damage to the homeowner and without any detriment to his neighbours, the flames were extinguished, which without this philanthropic public spirit would likely have devastated part of the town. Although everyone present fulfilled their duty with distinction according to the task assigned to them by the firefighting establishments, we must particularly mention the name of a fellow citizen who was present everywhere in the days of danger and equally distinguished by presence of mind, physical strength, and endurance: the estate owner Mr Joseph Pittner, who not only provides decisive help during fires through his precise knowledge and correct operation of the very effective engine under his powerful arm, but also contributed substantially last autumn, without any official obligation, through an extraordinary effort maintained almost without interruption for three days and nights, to preserving a large expanse of the most well-tended vineyards from flooding and devastation.