Read this excerpt from the great fire. despite this, chief marshal williams had managed to get a thin circle of engines around the fire. he had five steamers at the scene now, plus three hose carts and a hook-and-ladder wagon, all of them pumping water into the fire at various locations. spectators were asked to and many responded by chopping up fences and sidewalks, hoping to deprive the fire of fuel. what caused firefighters to ask spectators to ? firefighters wanted to go home to check on their own families. there were not enough firefighters to do all of the necessary tasks. firefighters wanted more people to control the engines and steamers. there were too many people standing around and watching the fire.