Fire hazards were many in this period. Homes were heated by wood or dried grass. They were lighted by candle flame or by oil lamp. Cooking was done over open fires. Sometimes villages, towns and even cities were completely leveled once a rue broke out in a house or in a shop. In 1600s almost all of London was burned down. This terrible fire started when a baker dropped hot coals on the floor. London burned for six days. The largest fire in the United States was in 1871. It mined most of Chicago. It is believed to have started when a cow kicked over a lamp in a cowshed.
Early fire fighters were not paid. They did not work full time. They all had other trades. It was not until about a hundred years ago that firemen were given money for their work.
Today modem equipment helps the trained firemen to do a much better job. Fire will remain a hazard, but the men of the fire departments all over the world will continue to lessen the dangers.
When file destroyed a home during the Dark Ages, people ______.

A. felt that the fire was a punishment given by God
B. wished the brigade had arrived sooner
C. tried to stop heating by dried grass or wood
D. tried to know how and why the fire started