The contradictory conditionality of the origin and development of the fire safety system in Russia

Introduction. Due to the initial influence of geographical determinism, a culture of building with wood developed in Russia. Despite the fact that wood is a very flammable material, tradition and a certain isolation from other building cultures restrained the transition to more fire-safe building materials. The article explores the awareness of the authorities and the population of this problem and the adoption of legislative measures both in the field of construction and the punishment of arson. The history of the formation of the state structure for fire safety and firefighting is considered. Attention is drawn to such an element that hindered the fight against fires as religious syndrome.