Principles of Fire Prevention Significant Fires That Shaped Modern Fire Prevention Techniques

The Great Fire of London Occurred in AD a year after the bubonic plague or the “black death.” The fire burned for 5 days and nights. Destroyed 13,200 homes, 87 churches, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, 20 warehouses, and 100,000 boats and barges. Following the fire, it took Parliament 2 years to enact the London Building Act and commissioners weren’t appointed for another 108 years to enforce the regulations.

The Great Chicago Fire Occurred in October 1871 and destroyed17,500 buildings. Over 300 persons killed and more than 100, 000 persons left homeless. Destroyed an area 4 miles long and ¾ of a mile long. The fire department gave up fighting the fire when the fire burned down the water works building. The fire eventually burned out when the winds calmed and rains begin to fall. Almost immediately, reform began in the city's fire standards, spurred by the efforts of leading insurance executives and fire prevention reformers.

Iroquois Theatre Fire Occurred December 30, 1903 in Chicago during a performance that held a full house and standing room only. Deadliest building fire in United States history. At least 605 persons were killed but not all the deaths were reported. Although billed as “Absolutely Fire Proof,” by the owners, the building lacked many basic fire protection systems and safeguards as discovered by the fire department just days before the fire. The majority of persons perished due to a lack of useable emergency fire exits.

The LaSalle Hotel Fire When it was opened in 1909 in downtown Chicago, it was hailed as the "largest, safest, and most modern hotel west of New York.“ On June 5, 1946, a fire broke out in the hotel, killing 61 people, many of them children. The fire quickly spread through the combustible decorative furnishings and many victims perished to due the rapid buildup of smoke. The hotel fire was so devastating, it resulted in the Chicago city council enacting new hotel building codes and fire-fighting procedures, including the installation of automatic alarm systems and instructions of fire safety inside the hotel room.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire The fire occurred on March 25, 1911, the deadliest disaster in New York City until the destruction of the World Trade Center 90 years later. 146 persons were killed during the fire, many unable to escape due to blocked exits. Many actually jumped to their deaths to avoid being burned by the flames. The fire was a catalyst for improving women’s working conditions and their call to organize for women’s rights. As a result of the fire, the American Society of Safety Engineers was founded in New York City on October 14, 1911.

Cocoanut Grove Fire Boston, Mass. – Nov. 28, 1942, burned in what remains the deadliest nightclub fire in American history, killing 492 people and injuring hundreds more. The nightclub was filled with approximately 1,000 occupants that evening, more than twice its official capacity of 460. The fire started in a downstairs lounge and quickly spread up the stairwells to the floors above. Many exits had been locked shut and others were found to open inward instead of outward. Legislation enacted afterward required outward opening exits doors and independently lighted exit signs.

Beverly Hills Supper Club The Beverly Hills Supper Club fire in Southgate, Kentucky is the third largest nightclub fire in US history. It occurred on the night of Saturday, May 28, persons died and over 200 were injured as a result of the blaze. As many as 3,000 persons and 182 employees were inside at the time of the fire. The resulting investigation revealed the building was extremely overcrowded, had inadequate fire exits for the amount of people inside, found to have faulty wiring, a lack of fire walls, and there was no fire sprinkler system or audible fire alarm.

MGM Grand Hotel Occurred November 21, 1980 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Los Vegas, Nev. The fire killed 85 people, most through smoke inhalation on the upper floors. The disaster led to the general publicizing of the fact that during a building fire, smoke inhalation is a more serious threat than flames. The fire was caused by an electrical ground fault inside a wall soffit. Due to faulty smoke dampers within the ventilation duct network, the toxic fumes circulated throughout the hotel's air circulation system, accelerating the spread of the poisonous air.

Station Nightclub Fire West Warwick, Rhode Island, February 20, 2003, the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in American history, killing 100 people and injuring 230. The fire was caused by pyrotechnics set off by the tour manager of the band Great White, which ignited flammable sound insulation foam in the walls and ceilings surrounding the stage. The flames were at first thought to be part of the act; only as the fire reached the ceiling and smoke began to billow did people realize it was uncontrolled. Built in 1946 and had no sprinkler system although it was required at the time.

“The Commission on Fire Prevention and Control has made a good beginning, but it cannot do our work for us. Only people can prevent fires. We must become constantly alert to the threat of fires to our selves, our children, and our homes. Fire is almost always the result of human carelessness. Each one of us must become aware – not for a single time, but for all the year – of what he or she can do to prevent fires.” -President Richard M. Nixon September 7, 1972 America Burning, 1973