We learned that it wasn't at all unusual for the wooden buildings of the Forbidden City to be damaged by fires. When fires occurred, everyone rushed to put out the flames and keep the fire from spreading.
Each building was rated according to its importance. If flames spread, the firefighters would concentrate on saving the most important structure. The importance of a building was indicated by the number of gargoyles at the corners of its roof. That way, persons of no education or literacy would still know where to direct their efforts. Here's a building that is obviously considered to be very, very important!
