Mevissen 1
Nicole Mevissen
Broward Fire Academy
4 February 2017
The History of Our Lady of Angel School Fire Year 1958 on December 1, one of the greatest tragic fires of history ignited; resulting in the death of 92 children and 3 nuns. The incident took place Chicago, Illinois at Our Lady of the Angels School grounds. Although the school was compliant with fire codes of 1958, fire hazards were still present. At the time smoke detectors were not available until 10 years later, and sprinkler systems were generally only located in the newer constructed schools and factory buildings. The school was a two-story structure built in 1910, which later then had remodeling done numerous times over the years. The exterior of the school was built with …show more content…
A teacher who was notified of the situation lead to activate a fire alarm; unfortunately at the time it was too late for the students and teachers on the second floor of the North wing to escape. After being dispatched falsely in the wrong direction, the fire department units became arrival within four minutes. Still managing to make a quick response time, the fire was currently at the fully developed stage for as long as 40 minutes prior. The situation became upgraded to a “five alarm” (all available equipment and units). A snorkel team then arrived pouring water on the blazing building trying to reduce the extreme temperatures. Not wasting a split second fire fighters on scene began to approach the horrified individuals in one of the classroom through a second floor class room window. Children fighting to survive began jumping out of the windows; some even on fire. A few of the student not only died from the fire itself but also from the impact of the fall and from inhalation of the toxic air. The fire being persistent in its intensity eventually generated a flashover in the hallways causing the roof to collapse; killing more students. Tragically the death of many lives that day, firefighters rescued more than 160 children. Majority of the victims died from smoke inhalations burns. The conclusion from this horrific event that took place required many changes to take action; resulting in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) mandating codes to meet school policy. Schools were required to make improvements such as, having fire alarms installed, sprinkler systems, and developments of school building designs, enclosed staircases and fire evacuations drills through the school year. These mandatory codes were created to prevent a tragic event like December 1, 1958 from ever
Nicole Mevissen
Broward Fire Academy
4 February 2017
The History of Our Lady of Angel School Fire Year 1958 on December 1, one of the greatest tragic fires of history ignited; resulting in the death of 92 children and 3 nuns. The incident took place Chicago, Illinois at Our Lady of the Angels School grounds. Although the school was compliant with fire codes of 1958, fire hazards were still present. At the time smoke detectors were not available until 10 years later, and sprinkler systems were generally only located in the newer constructed schools and factory buildings. The school was a two-story structure built in 1910, which later then had remodeling done numerous times over the years. The exterior of the school was built with …show more content…
A teacher who was notified of the situation lead to activate a fire alarm; unfortunately at the time it was too late for the students and teachers on the second floor of the North wing to escape. After being dispatched falsely in the wrong direction, the fire department units became arrival within four minutes. Still managing to make a quick response time, the fire was currently at the fully developed stage for as long as 40 minutes prior. The situation became upgraded to a “five alarm” (all available equipment and units). A snorkel team then arrived pouring water on the blazing building trying to reduce the extreme temperatures. Not wasting a split second fire fighters on scene began to approach the horrified individuals in one of the classroom through a second floor class room window. Children fighting to survive began jumping out of the windows; some even on fire. A few of the student not only died from the fire itself but also from the impact of the fall and from inhalation of the toxic air. The fire being persistent in its intensity eventually generated a flashover in the hallways causing the roof to collapse; killing more students. Tragically the death of many lives that day, firefighters rescued more than 160 children. Majority of the victims died from smoke inhalations burns. The conclusion from this horrific event that took place required many changes to take action; resulting in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) mandating codes to meet school policy. Schools were required to make improvements such as, having fire alarms installed, sprinkler systems, and developments of school building designs, enclosed staircases and fire evacuations drills through the school year. These mandatory codes were created to prevent a tragic event like December 1, 1958 from ever