What should we do in the case of fire? Dial 999 to seek help from the Fire Services Department, of course! The Forbidden City also had a fire department – originally called the Fire Squad, it was later renamed the Fire Brigade. After a fire broke out in the Imperial Main Kitchen in 1679, the Kangxi Emperor paid great attention to fire prevention and established the Fire Squad. In the reign of Yongzheng period, its offices were located west of the Gate of Heavenly Purity, next to the Office of the Grand Council of State – a testament to its importance. The Guangxu Emperor later established the Fire Brigade, with its offices located at the Hall of Martial Valor.

Early firefighting was performed by well-built eunuchs, but they were replaced by guardsmen during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor. The Fire Squad was equipped with horses for everyday patrol work around the palace and quick response to fire emergencies. In the 61 years of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign, there were only three fires, all of which affected relatively small areas. Thanks to the establishment of the Fire Brigade, there were fewer cases of fires in the Qing dynasty than in the Ming dynasty. Only 10 cases were recorded, occurring on average once every 30 years.

The offices of these firefighters were specially designed – the roofs and even the ridge beast ornaments of the Fire Brigade offices are black in colour. This design was because the ancient Chinese believed in the theory of the five elements: water overcomes fire, and black is the colour that it corresponds to.