In 1925, United States President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week on Oct. 4-10, 1925.
It is observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which Oct. 9 falls, in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire.
That horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. Although it began Oct. 8, most of the damage occured on Oct. 9.
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 spread until the whole city was ablaze.
Is the story true? That there was a Great Chicago Fire in 1871 is undeniable, but the actual cause of it remains a mystery.
After the 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.
Nevertheless, the moral of the story is how a seemingly innocuous act can have devastating consequences is as important as it ever was.
This week the Barrhead Leader is 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 on occasion put their lives on the line to fight local fires.
As do the vast majority of firefighters across the province, as 75 per cent of all firefighters in Alberta are volunteers.
Every year during Fire Prevention Week, the department stresses the importance of making sure families have a home fire escape plan, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, et cetera.
Take heed to this advice, because what better way is there to thank our firefighters than doing our utmost to make sure we do not need their services?
