The modernization of the drinking water and water network from 1850 [20] and the production of fire hydrants in the late 19th century meant that the importance of the Bächle decreased as a source of water to fight fires. However, in the following century they helped to extinguish fires during the British raid on 27 November (Operation Tigerfish), in which parts of the town centre were totally destroyed. Witnesses reported that after the raid, the Bächle came in handy, because the industrial streams were buried and the water pipes destroyed, therefore deeming the hydrants useless. [21] Without the water from the Bächle, the area of Oberlinden, the historic department store, the Wentzinger house and other buildings wouldn't have been able to be saved.