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Triangle Factory Fire

1. When did the fire take place?

The fire took place around closing time the afternoon of March 25, 1911 in New York, New York.

2. What caused the fire?

It is believed that a carelessly tossed cigarette caused the fire in the factory.

3. Why was the loss of life so high (146 dead)?

The loss of life was so high because the owners had locked the doors during working hours. The owners had frequently locked the exit doors in the past, claiming that workers stole materials. To make the situation wores, the ninth floor fire escape led nowhere, certainly not to safety, and it would bend as the employees were trying to escape the flames. Also, the firefighter’s ladders were several stories too short and the water from the hoses could not reach the top floors to extinguish the fire. Many employees chose to jump to their deaths rather than to burn painfully.

4. Were any charges brought against the owners?

There were accused of very serious charges. On April 11, a jury indicted Harris and Blanck on seven counts, charging them with manslaughter in the second degree. Also, they broke section 80 of the Labor Code, which mandated that doors should not be locked during working hours.

Justice? Twenty-three individual civil suits were brought against the owners of the factory. On March 11, 1914, Harris and Blanck had to pay fines of 75 dollars per life lost.

5. How did fire safety improve after this tragedy?

Fire safety improved after this tragedy by improving technology such as sprinklers and fire alarms. Also, buildings now have fire regulations that require safety awareness in case there is a fire. Many buildings today have “Fire Exits” that are an easy way to escape a building that is going up in flames and to run to safety.