Up until then, fires were attended by crews from rival insurance companies’ fire brigades. But a series of serious fires prompted the setting up of a Fire Engine Committee which reported the firemen from the different insurance offices “are often wrangling and quarrelling in place of joining their efforts as they ought to do”.
James Braidwood, born and bred in the Capital, was appointed the first firemaster at the age of 24, just two months before the Great Fire of Edinburgh and was hailed for his heroism.
He pioneered a scientifc approach to firefighting, published one of the first manuals on fire engineering in 1830, “On the Construction of Fire Engines and Apparatus”, and established principles of firefighting that are still applied today.
Braidwood is recognised as the father of the modern fire service around the world.
Scroll through these pictures charting firefighting through the years.
1. James Braidwood
James Braidwood was born in Edinburgh in 1800 - the family lived in College Street, near Edinburgh University - and was educated at the Royal High School. At the time, insurance companies operated their own rival fire-fighting teams, but the lack of co-ordination reduced their effectiveness. In 1824, Edinburgh created the first municipal fire service in the world - and Braidwood was appointed Master of Engines. | TSPL Photo: David Moir
2. Great Fire of Edinburgh
Just two months after the new fire brigade was formed, a devastating fire broke out. The Great Fire of Edinburgh began in Old Assembly Close, just off the Royal Mile, on Monday, November 15 , 1824, and lasted for five days. Although the new fire brigade arrived quickly with its custom-made fire engines, they had trouble finding a water supply and the blaze spread quickly. | TSPL Photo: Cate Gillon
3. Ruins in the Old Town
The Great Fire of Edinburgh left large parts of the Old Town in ruins. On the second day of the blaze, the spire on the Tron Kirk caught fire and molten lead began to pour from its roof. Secondary fires broke out and spread to other buildings. Fire-fighting efforts focused on saving Parliament Hall, the Law Courts and St Giles Cathedral. | TSPL Photo: Cate Gillon
4. Hand-pulled fire engine
The early fire engines had to be pulled by hand and the larger ones needed 12 men to pump them. Here, firefighters Graham Inglis and Ray Brunton are pictured in 2000, pulling one of the historic appliances from James Braidwood's original fire engine establishment in Charlotte Square. | TSPL Photo: David Moir