In 1925, United States president Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week on October 4-10, 1925.
It is observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls, in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began October 8, 1871, and did most of its damage October 9.
The horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.
According to urban legend, the cause of the fire was a cow owned by Mrs. Catherine O’Leary. In most versions of the story it is said the cow kicked over a kerosene lamp that started a fire that quickly domininoed until the whole city was ablaze.
Is the story true? Not exactly — Yes in 1871 there was a fire that devastated Chicago, but the actual cause of it remains a mystery.
After the Great Fire, Chicago Tribune reporter Michael Ahern published a report that the fire had started when a cow kicked over a lantern while it was being milked. The woman was not named, but Catherine O’Leary was identified. Illustrations and caricatures soon appeared depicting Mrs. O’Leary with the cow.
In 1893, however, Ahern admitted he had made the story up.
However, the moral of the story about how an a seemingly innocuous act can have devastating consequences is as important as it ever was.
Next week in the Barrhead Leader we are publishing our annual Fire Prevention Week issue. In it you will see pictures of the brave men and women who not only give their time, but also on occasion, put their physical safety at risk.
As do the vast majority of firefighters across the province. In Alberta 75 per cent of all firefighters are volunteers.
Every year during Fire Safety Week, the fire department stresses the importance of making sure families have a home fire escape plan, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, etcetera.
Take heed to this advice because what better way to thank our firefighters than do our uttermost to make sure we do not need their services.
