Ödön Széchenyi, the "fire-pasha"

Ödön Széchenyi, the "fire-pasha" Count Ödön Széchenyi from Sárvár-Felsővidék born 175 years ago on December 14, 1839 as the son of the greatest Hungarian István Széchenyi and the grandson of Ferenc Széchényi. Széchenyi was the organizer of the Hungarian and Turkish fire brigades.

Ödön Széchenyi studied at the parental home in Sopron and Nagycenk. He spoke excellent French, German, English, Italian, Latin and Greek. His patriotism was ensured by the atmosphere of his parent's house. He was barely nine years old when the war of independence fell.

He showed an early high technical sense and an interest in novelties, especially in shipping and engineering. He wanted to be excellent in everything, worthy to being the "greatest Hungarian's" son. In 1861, after the death of his father, he moved to Pest.

As his father the restless young man entered the public arena. However, the age did not favor the son of the "greatest Hungarian", as he was considered a rebellious, all his movements and travels were monitored by secret police and they tried to blackmale him.

One of the most important experience of Ödön Széchenyi's life was the two fires that broke out in Nagycenk and Fertőszentmiklós in 1860, as he saw the suffering, disorganization, and helplessness of the people against the devastation of the fire, he took part in the rescue.

Using his five-week stay in London, he met the world-famous local fire brigade where he applied to gain practical firefighting knowledge.

Széchenyi soon realized that he did not provide volunteer firefighters with fire services, so he also proposed the establishment of a paid fire brigade. On December 5, 1870, the dream of firefighters came true: the Hungarian National Fire Brigade Association has been founded

He became well-knowed after these events. There were many serious fires in Istanbul during these times. As Széchenyi was there, he offered to help, set up professional and voluntary fire brigades based on his Hungarian model.The work, which had lasted for years, was so protracted that the Count eventually moved to Istanbul. he visited home several times, he taught his children to Hungarian. He planned to move home, but did not have the opportunity. The Turkish-Greek War, then the First World War and Trianon was hard for him to process but found joy in the fire department. Even in his old age, he went out to the fires, directing the work.He was esteemed by the Turkish sultans, he received several honors and ranks, he was said to be the first Christian to receive the title of pasha without having to convert to the Muslim faith. Pasha Ödön Széchenyi became one of the highest-ranking generals.

In 1912 he became commander-in-chief of the Turkish Fire Regiments and the Naval Fire Battalion, a Turkish imperial camp general. In 1918 he was awarded the 1st Class of the Iron Crown Order in his homeland. In Istanbul, the Fire Museum was named after him. Ödön Széchenyi died on March 24, 1922 in Istanbul, at the age of eighty-two. His funeral was also a Turkish-Hungarian funeral and a military and firefighting commemoration according to the will of the Turkish pasha and the Hungarian count.

He rests in the Roman Catholic sector of Feriköy Christian Cemetery. His memory is still cherished today.