ABSTRACT
The only complaint I have against the system is that a considerable sum of money must be paid to the first fire engine that arrives, a smaller to the second, and so on, thus… if all their efforts prove ineffectual, the sufferer, who is already ruined by the destruction of his property… doubles his loss and adds to anguish of his mind. Notwithstanding the assistance of these machines there is scarcely a day when fires do not happen and cause much mischief; but no pains are taken to make the people build their houses on a better or more secure plan. (Abu Taleb Khan, 1814, vol II, pp169-170)
