A closer look
The absolute best way to stop a fire is obviously to violently demolish your neighbor's house before the flames can reach it. In Edo-period Japan, the machi-bikeshi weren't equipped with modern hoses; they fought massive urban infernos with destruction and pure bravado. While the crew ripped apart wooden buildings with hooks to create firebreaks, the most reckless guy in the squad stood on the nearest burning roof twirling a heavy paper standard to rally the men. If he fell or dropped it, the entire guild lost face. Nothing screams civic duty quite like controlled demolition and extreme acrobatics.
