64. Fires that Changed Cities
Fires are destructive. They also create changes. In
a fire burned most of Chicago to the
. Many people think the fire was started when
cow knocked over a gas lamp. Most of
city at the time was built of wood.
, combined with the famous Chicago winds and a
, made the city burn down quickly. The fire
for three days. 100,000 people were left homeless,
at least 300 were killed. What was amazing
how quickly the city was rebuilt, eventually becoming
third most populous city in the United States.
Great Boston Fire of 1872 created a property
of $73.5 million, more than any other fire
the U.S. history. Most of Downtown Boston and
financial district burned down in the fire that
in a warehouse basement. 30 people died, and
lost their jobs and their homes. However, the
was rebuilt in two years. It began enforcing
regulations because of the fire.
The 1911 Triangle
Factory fire in New York City caused the
highest loss of life from an industrial accident
the U.S. history. 123 women and 23 men,
garment workers and mostly poor immigrants, died from
fire, smoke inhalation, or falling or jumping to
deaths. Child labor was not uncommon. The youngest
were two 14-year-old girls who worked in the
. So many people died because the owners of
factory locked the doors to the stairs and
. This was to prevent the workers from taking
and stealing. As a result of the fire
huge loss of life, many people began protesting
working conditions. The U.S. Congress passed laws improving
safety conditions. Women workers also formed a union
fight for better working conditions.
Check
Hint
OK
CLOSE