1896. Fire of Odkolek's Mills. Description by a contemporary (from František Vejdělek: The Memorial to the Fire Brigade of the Royal Capital City of Prague 1853-1903. Prague 1903.) 1896. Fire of Odkolek's Mills. On 29 January after 12 o'clock at night a red flood could be seen in the dark sky above Malá Strana that bore testimony, far and wide, of a large fire. This unusual blaze caused great excitement in ball rooms and amusement venues. Dancers were leaving ball rooms and rushing towards František embankment from where they could enjoy a spectacular view of the opposite bank of the Vltava: Odkolek's mills were burning with bright flames. The fire had started in the wing leading towards the Vltava. A water mill was located there and behind it a steam one. On the second floor of the water mill, a machine used for cleaning grain was located and that was where the fire started when a spark allegedly caused by the great rotation speed flew into flour dust. Short time after the fire started, a stream of sparks tumbled out and red flames shone into the building so that any attempts at putting the fire out were out of the question. The workers ran out and started to lead horses out of the stalls and take furniture outside. One whole wing of the mill building was in flames before a quarter of an hour passed. Sky-high flames flared from the tall building of which only mere walls could be seen. The windows were bursting, their frames burning, and inside rich supplies of grist and grain were burning with clear flames. Fire brigades were notified late, even though there was a telephone at the mill. So when a fire watch was crossing Charles Bridge on its way from the headquarters, a huge column of smoke was hurtling towards the sky and the red hue made it clear that the flames had already got through the roof. First news of the fire was conveyed to the fire brigade via phone from the street leading from the bridge to Malá Strana by a guard on duty on the bridge. Fire brigades from Prague as well as suburbs started their fight against the disastrous element with all their vigour. The first stage was hampered by an insufficient pressure in the plumbing, so after an initial attempt with a hydrant the pressure of which was for some inexplicable reason insufficient, a four wheel fire engine had to be used to draw water. Later, three steam engines were gushing large amounts of water onto the burning building but it seemed that all efforts were fruitless. After each effort, new flames rose. At one point, it looked as though the joint efforts of the fire brigades would succeed at least in saving the building containing machinery. At the same moment though, signals of firemen's trumpets announced that the second building, which was residential, was in great danger. It took a long time and a lot of stamina to confine the angry flames to the mills only. The side leading to the Vltava fell victim to the fire. The residential building standing right next to the mills was saved. Most furniture had been taken away but suffered great damage from water, the flats and office were spared. The insides of both mills were completely destroyed. It was a terrible sight for a spectator beholding the scenery of the misfortune. What had been spared by the fire, had suffered from the water which had prevented the furious element from reaching the residential building. Rooms and chambers, all were flooded by lots of water that froze on the floors and stairs so walking on them was really dangerous. Besides the above mentioned three fire engines, a telescopic ladder was used during the rescue operation. The damages caused by this fire amounted to some 300,000 golden coins. Stop 3 – Fire at Odkolek's (then Sova's) Mills, today's Kampa Museum.. On 29 January 1896 in the evening, a fire started at the Odkolek's mills in the Kampa neighbourhood of Malá Strana. The fire broke out in the wing oriented towards the Vltava. A water and steam mill was located there. The fire was caused by a spark that found its way into the flour dust. Firemen fought the fire with stamina and for a long time but not even the use of three steam fire engines and a lot of water saved the machine rooms. The big mill building close to the Vltava burnt down completely – there were large quantities of grist and grain. The residential buildings survived. The firemen worked late into the night to secure the site. They needed to make sure the beams and straw posed no more danger. Fire of Odkolek's Mills 1896, from the memorial of Prague firemen, MMP Odkolek's Mills in Prague on Fire. Reproduction of a drawing by an eye witness (not signed). 1896, MMP