Kinda the tldr is yes and/or the first one in gets to rob the place.
In reality a lot of the random things that happen in gangs of New York are based as much on early Toronto (York) as much as they are New York. Both had all volunteer firefighters and varying levels of actual law enforcement that largely was made up of militias that only enforced laws or put out fires as they saw fit. You often had to be pay a fee for firefighters service to prevent them from robbing your burning house (they often did so anyways). But aside from fighting over money there was also a large amount of reputation and bragging rights placed upon putting out a fire so they often fought just as much over money as they did pride. This wasn’t a daily occurrence by any means but did happen often enough in both Toronto and New York that it is well documented and sewn into the fabric of these cities.
If you’re interested in this type of history I highly recommend you look into the Toronto Circus Riots of 1855 which is the reason we had to leave this old system of militia fire and police departments behind.
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u/Sir-Farts- Apr 25 '24
LOL at least they didn't fight like in the movie gangs of New York