On a dry and windy night 141 years ago, a Chicago barn fire grew into a conflagration that destroyed more than 17,000 buildings, killed more than 250 people and left 100,000 more without homes.In 1911, on the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America decided to commemorate the fire by promoting fire prevention. President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation in 1920; and, in 1925, the first National Fire Prevention Week was observed. The National Fire Prevention Association now sponsors Fire Prevention Week.Fire Prevention Week begins on the Sunday of the week in which Oct. 9 falls. (The Great Chicago Fire started Oct. 8, 1871, but the fire caused the most damage the following day.)According to NFPA and the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.For more information on fire safety and National Fire Prevention Week, go to http://fpw.org.Great Chicago Fire facts:While popular legend blames Mrs. OíLearyís cow for kicking over a lantern and starting the fire, the exact cause is unknown. However, research by Chicago author Richard F. Bales indicates the fire did begin in or near the OíLeary barn.According to the Chicago Historical Society, the second of four stars on the cityís flag represents the great fire.The Great Chicago Fire wasnít the only major fire to start on Oct. 8, 1871. The Peshtigo, Wis., fire in northeastern Wisconsin burned 1.2 million acres, destroyed 16 towns and killed more than 1,100 people.
