Fighting the flames

First published in 1867, 'Fighting the Flames' by R.M. Ballantyne is set against the backdrop of the busy and newly formed London Fire Brigade. Recent recruit Frank Wilders is proving himself to be something of a hero of the brigade as he bravely faces all sorts of dangerous situations, making his mischievous younger brother Willie incredibly proud. Through the brothers story we encounter a range of fascinating characters as the London Fire Brigade touches the lives of people from all reaches of society. An intriguing, charming tale from the popular author. R.M. Ballantyne (1825-1894) was a Scottish artist and prolific author of mostly children's fiction. Born in Edinburgh, Ballantyne was the ninth of ten children. At the age of 16 Ballantyne moved to Canada, where he worked for the Hudson's Bay Company, travelling all over the country to trade for fur. He returned to Scotland in 1847 following the death of his father, and it was then that he began his literary career in earnest, writing over 100 children's adventure books over the course of his life. Stories such as 'The Coral Island' and 'The Young Fur Traders' were hugely popular, and many of them drew on his own experiences of travelling throughout Canada. A stickler for detail, Ballantyne continued to travel widely to research the backgrounds and settings for his exciting stories. His tales became an inspiration for authors of the future, including 'Treasure Island' novelist Robert Louis Stevenson. Ballantyne spent the latter period of his life living in London and Italy for the sake of his health. He died in Rome in 1894 at the age of 68.