The 25 Strangest days of Christmas Day 3 - “Light It on Fire: The Explosive History of Christmas Pudding”

0:00 Speaker 1: Hello, dear listeners, and welcome back to the Strange History podcast and day three of our Victorian Christmas countdown the twenty five Strangest Days of Christmas. Today's lesson Victorian holiday decorps was stylish, charming, and actively combustible because they lit Christmas trees with real burning candles. No electricity, no led twinkle lights, just dozens of open flames clipped to dry pine branches indoors. What could go wrong? Quite a lot, as it turns out. In eighteen eighty six, the Times of London reported twenty eight Christmas Day house fires caused by tree candles.

0:37 Speaker 1: Fire brigades nicknamed the season the Festival of Rapid Combustion, yet families insisted the warm glow was worth the risk. This is the same country that thought taking photos with ghosts was normal, so consistent.

0:54 Speaker 2: Today's episode is brought to you by Victorian Fire Insurance Mutual, the only insurance company who's motto is we can't stop your house from burning down, but we can help you rebuild the smoldering remains. Sign up today and receive a porcelain angel that definitely judges your choices.

1:11 Speaker 1: Some traditions age beautifully, Some burn quickly. Tomorrow we explore the edible Christmas Tree, because nothing says holiday joy like toddlers climbing branches for gingerbread.