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The Great Salem Fire of June 25, 1914, destroyed 1,376 buildings in Salem, Massachusetts. ==Before the fire== Franklin H. Wentworth agitated for more fire protection. In an article in the ''Salem Evening News'' (March 29, 1910, page 7), he called "Salem in Danger of Destruction by Fire". He felt that the main fire danger was to the downtown business district. The article included a map of all downtown buildings and their type of construction (brick, wood, etc.). Mr. Wentworth, a Salem Councilman, introduced an order that would have required all new or replacement roof coverings to be non-combustible. He argued that this was as important as buying new engines or hiring new firemen. After a big fire, many of the working class would have to live in tents, he warned. Wentworth was accused of serving only the interest of the insurance industry, and the amendment did not pass. Wentworth later became secretary of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Another failed attempt to increase safety in Salem was undertaken by Charles J. Collins. He had visited Philadelphia where high-pressure wagons pumped water through pipes for a range of . The argument went that high-pressure pumps would pay for themselves with the reduction of insurance fees. Protecting the entire business and mercantile district would have cost US$150,000. In 1914, Salem was a city of 48,000 people (12,000 more than ten years earlier) and 5,826 buildings on and an assessed valuation of US$37.25 million. The streets were wide. Building codes were dated and did not mention standpipes, fire escapes, or sprinklers. Salem had 180 fire alarm stations or boxes that could be used to contact telephone operators. A long drought preceded the events of June 25, 1914. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Great Salem Fire of 1914」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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