On the night of October 8, 1871, a fire broke out in a barn in Chicago, Illinois, and grew into the Great Chicago Fire. Over about two days, the fire destroyed a large part of the city’s central area. It killed around 300 people and left tens of thousands without homes. Strong winds, dry conditions, and wooden buildings all helped the flames spread quickly. The disaster led to major efforts to rebuild the city with new building codes and more fire-resistant materials. It also influenced modern urban planning and architecture in Chicago and beyond.
