The main character of the opera is a zany (Hanswurst) – a buffoon and a canny dullard, who has been a popular character in German and Austrian folk art puppet theaters, as well as in fair and travelling theaters.

The plot in "Fire" takes place in an Austrian village nearby a ducal palace. The main thread of the opera revolves over the love adventures of a chimney-sweeper Hanswurst and Columbina, the count’s bailiff daughter. Everything starts when baron Leander seduces Columbina. She abandons the chimney-sweeper who comes up with cunning tricks to get her back. There is a typical black character in his way, Odoardo, Columbina’s father – a scrooge and a crook who dreams of a profitable marriage for his daughter. The byplay revolves over Steckel’s efforts to snap back his house from which he was driven away by Odoardo. Both threads tend to complicate unexpectedly because of the fire. Before the story will reach the end the spectators will witness many amusing situations, sudden plot turnabouts and surprises.

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