Oct 3 - Oct 10 is Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire.  Contrary to popular belief, neither Mrs. O'Leary nor her cow started the fire.  While the fire no doubt started in the O’Leary barn, it was more likely the result of spontaneous combustion of hay or a carelessly tossed cigar.  In any case, it quickly grew into a huge wall of flame that was propelled northward by strong winds.  The 1871 conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned about 1/3 of the city.

~~ Irish