681. Passively Dousing a Fire

Shabbos 12:3

If a fire breaks out on Shabbos, one is liable if he extinguishes it to prevent a financial loss. Only preventing a threat of loss of life supersedes Shabbos, not avoiding financial loss. Therefore, in such an event, everyone should simply leave in order to avoid the danger; they should let a fire burn even if it consumes an entire city.

Shabbos 12:4

It is permitted to erect a barrier of any type of vessel, whether full or empty, to keep a fire from spreading. One may even erect a barrier of new earthenware vessels filled with water even though they will definitely break, extinguishing the fire. It is permitted to passively cause a fire to be put out. One may invert a bowl over a candle to keep the fire from catching on the beams.