일제하 대구지역의 화재발생과 대구소방조의 소방활동

Abstract

This study investigated activities and characteristics of the Daegu Fire-Fighting Service during the Japanese colonial period. Daegu was an administrative center and a hub of agricultural products as a major transportational point where a water route met an overland route. As the Gyeongbuseon railroad was built in 1904 during the Russo-Japanese War, Japanese people were settled in Daegu. When the Daegu Eupseong was demolished in 1907, Japanese business zone was formed along the town wall. Josepn people who were engaged in business were mixed with Japanese people at the markets. As there were a number of stores in the intersection divided from the Daegu Station and the population was crowded, fires frequently broke out. Fires usually broke out at houses and stores, but gradually, they broke out at rice mills, silk mills, gas station and even hospitals. To deal with explosive outbreaks of fires, Japanese residents organized fire-fighting services. The Daegu Fire-Fighting Service was organized jointly by Joseon and Japanese people, which was derived from the characteristics of residential space of Daegu. As Japanese stores were arranged along the Bukseongro and Joseon stores were arranged along the Seomun and Nammun, fires broke out alternatively both in districts. The Daegu Fire-Fighting Service was composed of Japanese building material traders who joined in construction of Daegu railway. They were engaged in professional fire-fighting service. Daegubu was smaller than Pyeongyang and Busan in the population and size of town, but its regular fire-fighting service was larger. The ‘Daegu Regular Fire-Fighting Service’ were engaged in management of automobile pump hangars, watchtower service and fire-fighting service equipment loading. Joseon people also worked as regular fire-fighters because of frequent outbreaks of fires at their residential districts. Daegu notables were active in fund-raising for major fire-fighting events including an organization ceremony to support activities of the Daegu Fire-Fighting Service. In particular, they organized the ‘Daegu Fire-Fighting Committee’ to support its management and take the initiative in the fund-raising as well as to secure forests and fields where trees were planted. Local businessmen who had a fortune during the Japanese colonial period took the initiative in the fire-fighting service. However, the Daegu Fire-Fighting Service under the colonial rule was active only at practical and functional area of fire-fighting service including embracing Joseon people.