This is great. On the evidence of the film itself it’s uncertain whether this is actually an authentic fire, or an authentic practice fire, or a authentic staged pretend fire. But those look like real ladders, and real firemen, and a real building, and some definite smoke. Flaherty, before Flaherty? As often, the photographic composition might not be quite right. Not like the Lumiéres, in other words. Still, as is generally the case with these ancient productions, the composition doesn’t really hurt the film at all. This is reality! And its contrivance? Precisely, or even more so!