Great Chicago Fire only of rain from July 4 to October 9, causing severe drought conditions before the fire, while strong southwest winds helped to carry flying embers toward the heart of the city. In 1871, the Chicago Fire Department had 185 firefighters with just 17 horse-drawn steam engines to protect the entire city. The initial response by the fire department was quick, but due to an error by the watchman, Matthias Schaffer, the firefighters were sent to the wrong place, allowing the fire to grow unchecked. An alarm sent from the area near the fire also failed to register at the courthouse
Great Fire of London fire's destruction of much of the City. William Harrison Ainsworth's novel "Old St Paul's" is set during the events of the fire. "The Great Fire" was released on ITV television in 2014. It was shown in four episodes. It constructs a fictional scenario involving the Pudding Lane baker's family in an alleged popish plot. The round "London's Burning" is said to be about the Great Fire. However, the first notation of a song in this theme dates from 1580 as "Scotland's Burning". See . Great Fire of London The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through