Mr ma himself , along with prime minister wu den-yih and other ministers , donned workmen 's helmets and fireproof jackets and ceremonially burned contaminated goods in changhua county .
Timber was replaced by brick made from london clay and , influenced by amsterdam which by the 17th century had become london 's principal competitor the city expanded in rows of flat-fronted , fireproof brick terraces and squares .
Mr ma himself , along with prime minister wu den-yih and other ministers , donned workmen 's helmets and fireproof jackets and ceremonially burned contaminated goods in changhua county . Mr ma described their operations as " mopping up the battlefield " .