Every year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) kicks off Fire Prevention Week by raising awareness for fire safety, promoting key safety messages, providing resources for kids of all ages as well as general, showcasing helpful information for best practices in fire safety. It’s the longest-running public health observance in the U.S.
Since 1922, The NFPA sponsors the observance of this week starting on October 9 in commemoration of The Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871. According to historical findings provided by the NFPA, the most famous fire in America killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land. To learn more, you can watch Lessons from History: The Chicago Fire of 1871 here.
According to National Geographic on The Great Chicago Fire and its rebuilding, a fire broke out in a barn on the southwest side of Chicago. Allegedly, the fire started in a barn owned by Chicago residents, Patrick and Catherine O’Leary, but the exact cause of the fire remains a mystery. The fire spread into the heart of Chicago’s business district and beyond. A fourteen-week drought at the time, wooden infrastructure and architectures, and gusty winds caused these ingredients to catalyst into the catastrophic disaster we reflect on today.
The history of the Chicago Fire Department gives remarks into the personal insight of its brave efforts during that time. Before The Great Chicago Fire, the fourteen-week drought caused many recorded fires. Its history states, “Beginning with the devastating ‘Burlington Warehouse’ fire of September 30, the fire department was taxed daily. Twenty fires in one week, three on October 4, four on October 5, and five on October 6; the hastily wood constructed Chicago in a most precarious fate.” On Oct. 8, 1871, its fate was met with a point of no return with a fire sweeping through the city.
“It was like a snowstorm only the flakes were red instead of white”, wrote Bessie Bradwell Helmer. The Great Chicago Fire began around nine o’clock on Sunday evening, October 8th. The fire driven by a strong wind out the southwest headed straight for the City’s center. A.T. Andreas, the city’s noted nineteenth century historian wrote, “Nature had withheld her accustomed measure of prevention, and man had added to the peril by recklessness.”’
The Great Chicago Fire & The Web of Memory, official report displays the valiant, brave efforts of the firefighters dedicated to putting out the fire. It states:
They worked heroically to save the property of others when their own houses were burning and their families fleeing from the flames. A large part of the Department had worked on Saturday night, and Sunday until 3 p.m.–eighteen hours’ steady work, –and they were nearly exhausted when this fire commenced; but they responded to the call with alacrity and worked with all their remaining energy.
The fire completely ceased due to rainfall, but the expertise, sacrifice, and determination of the Chicago Fire Department helped save the city of Chicago.
Because of The Great Chicago Fire, preventions have been put in place for the protection of all. Some prevention includes street layouts with firefighter grids and buildings, allowing this layout to resist the spread of fires city-wide. Plus, protection plans are put in place. This includes anything and anywhere in between of planning your escape route, testing smoke alarms, choosing an outside meetings place, making a regular reminder to practice home fire drills. We remember the most famous fire in American history by building cities with fire protection in mind and giving thanks to The Chicago Fire Department and its fire rescue workers.