Famous flames spark prevention Published Oct. 3, 2011 56th Civil Engineer Squadron, Fire Department LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- National Fire Prevention Week originated from the Great Chicago Fire, which took place Oct. 9, 1871. This great catastrophe took 300 lives, left 300,000 people homeless and destroyed more than 17,500 buildings. Many stories circulate about the origin of the fire. The most popular is that Catherine O'Leary was milking her cow and the cow kicked a nearby lantern over, setting the barn on fire and starting the incredible fire. Daniel "Pegleg" Sullivan was sitting outside enjoying the warm weather. His tranquility was suddenly shortened by the sight of flames coming from the barn of his neighbor's, the O'Learys. Daniel quickly ran to the barn to help, but the fire was out of control and nothing could be saved. The fire spread at lightning speed, aided by a strong, brutal wind that quickly ignited everything around it, burning more than 2,000 acres in a little over 24 hours. Ironically, the O'Leary house survived the disaster with only minor damage. By the following day, much of the town had been devastated before the fire was finally brought under control. The job of rebuilding began and within a couple of years the people began holding a celebration of their restoration on the anniversary of the fire. The Fire Marshals Association of North America decided that the an¬niversary of the fire should be observed to help people understand the importance of fire prevention. The first National Fire Prevention Day was held Oct. 9, 1911. President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation in 1920. Since 1925, every president has signed the proclamation making the week in which Oct. 9 falls as National Fire Prevention Week. This practice continues to this day in communities throughout North America as a constant reminder that prevention is the ultimate cure.