CFD

There were about a billion firefighters on our block today. Not sure of what was going on except that they put a gigantic ladder up to the building next to ours, which caused me some concern. But then I figured they'd keep things under control and I snapped a few pics before heading inside where I decided to look up some fun facts about the Chicago Fire Department. On their website they have a list of major fires and disasters, and this, I couldn't resist.

I learned many things but my most amazing find was that in 1871 the Great Chicago Fire occurred and then in 1874 the SECOND Great Chicago Fire occurred (burning down 800 three-year-old buildings over 60 acres). Who knew?

Other things listed:
1893-Columbian Exposition (Just sitting there listed as a disaster.)
1903-December 30, Iroquois Theater Fire. Over 600 people lost their lives, the largest death toll of a fire in Chicago.
1919-July 21, Goodyear Blimp crashes through ceiling of the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank.
1958-December 1, Our Lady of Angels school fire resulted in the deaths of ninety-two children and three nuns. Following this tragic fire, sprinklers were installed in schools and school fire alarms were connected to the city alarm system.
1987-January 30, First group of women firefighters graduated from the Chicago Fire Academy. (Yep, still listed under disasters.)
1995- An extended heat wave contributes to the death of more than 700 people.
2000- February 2 Dust explosion at Blommers Chocolate Factory.
2003- June, porch collapse at 713 w Wrightwood, 13 dead, more than 50 injured.

Actually, it's amazing that there aren't more enormous disasters on the list, especially recently. I think we can give CFD a high five for that.