Crassus : User of First Professional Fire Brigade in history ?

When you hear about Roman Empire, which person comes to your mind first ? I bet most of you will think about Julius Caesar. Well I'm not talking about Julius Caesar today. Caesar is famous because of his achievement and his assassination. I'm talking about Marcus Licinius Crassus. He was the wealthiest man in Rome at the time of Caesar. 

Marcus Licinius Crassus

With Caesar and Pompey he dominated Rome at that time. He was a noble birth and belongs to a wealthy family. But how could he became most wealthiest in Rome ? 

That time timber and wood mainly used in housing purpose through out the city of Rome. So, fire was a common thing in Rome at that era. Crassus made his personal fire brigade of at least five hundred men. Whenever a fire occurred, Crassus reached the spot with his fire brigade. But here is the twist. His fire brigade didn't douse the fire until the fee was settled. Yes, Owner of that property had to pay the price for it. In front of that burning house Crassus and the owner started bargaining about the price. If they reached in an agreement then only his fire brigade started their work. If not they just watched and let the property to burn down. In most of the cases the owner of that burnt property sold that to Crassus in cheap price. This way Crassus acquired lots of property and became the wealthiest man in Rome. 

Crassus's ambition didn't stop here. He wanted the respect like Caesar and Pompey had. They were both famous generals and respected by the crowd. Crassus was not a military person but he also wanted that glory. So, he came to Syria as governor and attacked Parthian Empire which shared border with Roman Empire in Asia. Parthian Empire sent emissary and asked Crassus to withdraw which he ignored and continued his raids. At last a small Parthian Army caught Crassus off guard in Carrhae (Modern day Turkey) and destroyed his army. Most of his men were either killed or captured and later sold to slavery. Crassus himself was killed. A story said they poured molten gold in his mouth. The man earned wealth in his entire life even in his death.

Historically we found evidence of fire fighting equipment (Like water pump) in Hellenistic Egypt but may be Crassus was the first person who used a professional, full time fire brigade. Though his intentions were not for charity but who cares as long as it was effective.