The structure of this excerpt contributes to the central idea that the firefighters did not have the proper equipment to fight the fire by explaining the effects of the steamer malfunctioning and the hose bursting. The narrative outlines specific incidents of equipment failure, such as the steamer malfunction and the burst hose, which illustrate the inadequacy of resources available to the firefighters. This sequence of events emphasizes how these failures have direct consequences on their ability to combat the fire, reinforcing the central theme of equipment inadequacy in the face of an overwhelming disaster.
Read this excerpt from The Great Fire.
At the same moment that Anderson's hose stopped, another steamer malfunctioned and its water also gave out. A well-aimed rap of a hammer got the engine working again, but then, at about 10:30, an old section of hose burst and the flow of water stopped again. Two valuable links in the chain of defense were gone, and there was nothing to stop the fire in these locations.
Williams rushed to get the water going and to reposition his engines, but it was too late. The wind had pushed the fire past his circle, a wind that was blowing directly toward the heart of the city.
How does the structure of this excerpt contribute to the central idea that the firefighters did not have the proper equipment to fight the fire?
by demonstrating that there was no possible way to stop the blaze
by highlighting the human error that caused the flames to spread rapidly
by showing who was responsible for the equipment malfunctions
by explaining the effects of the steamer malfunctioning and the hose bursting
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1 answer