But in recent years, the role of the average firefighter has changed almost beyond recognition. Today firefighters consider themselves "skilled professional workers".

It seems these days there is an art, not to mention a science, to firefighting.

When a fire crew is called to a "shout" - an incident - saving lives is always top of the priority list. Where they can, they will also hope to limit the damage to property.

The problem is that no two fires are the same, says Paul Grimwood, a former London fireman and author on firefighting techniques.

"Take each building as a box. Now place into that box a large number of compartments (rooms) of different sizes; variable-sized openings (doors and windows); some are open, some closed; a variable number of people depending on occupancy type," he says.

"Now add in different construction methods, wall and ceiling linings, furniture and fuel load. There are unknown parameters because of the black smoke but the firefighter must 'risk assess' each situation to try and anticipate how the fire is likely to behave and develop."

Breathing apparatus allows access to the source of a fire

If chemicals are involved, then a firefighter must know how they will react. Some can be extinguished with water while others would explode if treated in the same way.

It means all new firefighters must study chemistry as part of the initial three-month training. Other elements of the induction course include building construction - to know how a building collapses - team building, handling equipment and physical fitness.

In terms of putting out a fire, the aim is to get inside the building for "offensive" firefighting, rather than remain outside, which is called "defensive".

"The image of a fireman standing on the street with a hose pointed at a burning building is just for the cameras," says ex-fireman Bob Parkin, who is now a fire safety consultant.

Breathing apparatus allows firefighters to get inside, but the danger in a burning house is that fuel vapours will get heat up to the point of exploding.

Taming the flames

The trick is to tame the fire, before extinguishing it, and there are a number of tactics for doing so. They include ventilating the house to drive out the lethal smoke, and spraying a room with bursts of water droplets. This works by cooling down inert dangerous gases that rise up in a fire.

But sometimes these strategies can do more harm than good. This means firefighters must make crucial decisions quickly.

"Over the past 10 years, the job of a firefighter has become more reliant on thought processes than individual strength," says Mr Grimwood.

"Modern-day firefighters must process 'risk assessments' with great speed, under tremendous stress, based upon a widening knowledge of fire behaviour."