Port Huron Fire of 1871

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).

Port Huron Fire of 1871 was an event that took place on Sunday, October 8, 1871. A fire leveled a broad swath of Michigan and Wisconsin, including the cities of Peshtigo, Holland, Manistee, and Port Huron. At least 1200 people died as a result of the fire.

The origin of the fire is unknown, but the damages were exacerbated due to a number of factors. Uninterrupted drought plagued the Midwest into early October and winds were strong. When the wind increased and shifted direction, fire fighters were unable to control the flames any longer. Vast tracts of forest burned for a week in parts of Michigan and Wisconsin. Within hours, several Midwestern cities and towns were reduced to charcoal and ash. That same night, the Great Chicago Fire erupted in nearby Illinois.

[edit] External Links

Library of Congress "Midwest Fire of 1871"

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../p/o/r/Port_Huron_Fire_of_1871_4c6c.html"