by Kate Keith

Created on: November 18, 2008   Last Updated: December 05, 2008

On June 6th, 1889 in a small basement workshop on First and Madison, the assistant of cabinetmaker John Bachs accidentally upset a small pot of glue. What started as a small, manageable mishap grew into the "Great Seattle Fire" when he attempted to put out the flames by tossing water on the blaze. Unfortunately, the glue was grease-based and simply spread, splashing the floor that was coated with wood shaving and turpentine. The fire spread quickly to the rest of the shop and was soon the shop was ablaze and stretching out to the neighboring buildings and workshops. As luck would have it, it was also unseasonably warm that year in Seattle a rather dry spring - and the buildings (largely made of wood timbers) caught and burned like kindling.

Though the fire department was called and though their response was swift, the flames spread quickly when the water pressure in their hoses was too low to fight the flames effectively. The water delivery system in Seattle at that time was not advanced enough to withstand the use of so many hydrants at the same time. Not to mention the fact that the hydrants that were available, were spaced out over every other street. As a result, nearly 33 blocks and over 60 acres of central Seattle (present day Pioneer Square) burned to the ground. The fire finally halted when it had consumed all available fuel/buildings.

It was decided almost immediately that Seattle would rebuild, but would use brick and stone rather than wood. As it happened, the fire rousted out the city's population of rats and other pests clearing the way for city officials to start reconstruction on top of the ruins. New ordinances were also put in place to improve the fire department for Seattle, changing its volunteer squad status to a permanent charter in October 1889. In addition, city planners increased the number of hydrants in the city, installed larger pipes and increased the water flow. Every effort was made to ensure that what happen in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 would not be repeated. As a result of the necessary rebuilding of Seattle, its population swelled with the creation of new jobs. This sheer increase in numbers changed the Seattle landscape forever, moving from a town to the City of Seattle and it has been growing ever since.

If you are in the area, there is a wonderful diorama on display at the Seattle Museum of History and Industry (www.seattlehistory.org that takes you through the events of the Great Seattle Fire and aftermath of its destruction and subsequent rebuilding.

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