La ciudad en llamas. Incendios y régimen de fuego en Valparaíso. 1843-1906

This article analyzes the history of urban fires in Valparai?so between 1843 and 1906. It is based on the concept of fire regime, which states that the history of the city is deeply marked by the use and misuse of fire. Therefore, it addresses the way in which different urban actors, such as local authorities and firefighters, plan and organize the city according to their interpretations of fire. The research uses official documents, judicial sources and documentation from firefighters. Thus, it shows the progressive construction of the notion of fire risk, as well as the development of prevention, reduction and mitigation strategies. And finally, it shows how these notions and strategies established a fire regime that affected local populations differently, contributing to reinforce preexisting inequalities and participating in the consolidation of power relationships.
This article analyzes the history of urban fires in Valparaíso between 1843 and 1906. It is based on the concept of fire regime, which states that the history of the city is deeply marked by the use and misuse of fire. Therefore, it addresses the way in which different urban actors, such as local authorities and firefighters, plan and organize the city according to their interpretations of fire. The research uses official documents, judicial sources and documentation from firefighters. Thus, it shows the progressive construction of the notion of fire risk, as well as the development of prevention, reduction and mitigation strategies. And finally, it shows how these notions and strategies established a fire regime that affected local populations differently, contributing to reinforce preexisting inequalities and participating in the consolidation of power relationships.
Este artículo analiza la historia de los incendios urbanos en Valparaíso entre 1843 y 1906. El trabajo se basa en el concepto de régimen de fuego que plantea que la historia de la ciudad está profundamente marcada por el uso y descontrol del fuego. En ese sentido, se interesa por la manera como diferentes actores urbanos, como autoridades locales y bomberos, contribuyen a pensar y organizar la ciudad en función de los incendios. Para dar cuenta de esto, la investigación utilizó documentos oficiales, fuentes judiciales y documentación de bomberos. De esta manera, se pudo ver la construcción progresiva de la noción de riesgo de incendio, así como el desarrollo de estrategias de prevención, reducción y mitigación. E igualmente se pudo observar cómo estas repercutieron en el establecimiento de un régimen de fuego que afectaba distintamente a las poblaciones locales, resaltando así antiguas desigualdades e interviniendo en la consolidación de relaciones de poder.