Abstract: During 35 years after open to foreign trade in the late Qing，Wuhu witnessed the rapid increase in population,building and urban areas. Meanwhile, it also faced unprecedented fire disaster risk，causing heavy losses of lives and property.Fire disaster became a major impediment to the economic and social development in Wuhu.The causesof the fire disaster of Wuhu included both natural and social factors,and the latter was the primary factor.In face of the fire disaster,Wuhu government and civil society had positive attitude,they adopted various measures, and madesome achievements, but there were also many problems. The case of Wuhu provides a reference to fire-fighting in present cities．

摘要： 晚清时期的芜湖在正式对外开埠通商后的35年中,在人口、房屋和城区面积迅速增加的同时,也面临着前所未有的火患,这给民众的生命财产造成了巨大损失,成为芜湖经济社会发展的重大障碍。导致芜湖火灾的缘由既有自然因素亦有社会因素,并以后者为主。面对火患,芜湖官方和民间皆能以积极的姿态,与之展开了多种形式的抗衡,取得了一定的成效,但同时亦存在不少问题。晚清芜湖火灾及其应对的经验教训,对于今后我国城市消防工作具有一定的借鉴意义。