Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire facts for kids

On March 25, 1911, a terrible fire started at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. This factory was on the 8th, 9th, and 10th floors of the Asch Building in Manhattan, New York City. The fire lasted only 20 minutes, but it tragically killed 146 workers.

A horse-drawn fire engine on its way to the burning factory

The fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory on March 25, 1911

The Asch Building in 2011

What Happened During the Fire?

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory was a place where clothes were made. Many young immigrant women worked there. When the fire broke out, many workers found themselves trapped. The doors to the stairwells were locked. This was done to prevent workers from taking breaks or stealing materials.

The fire escapes were also not strong enough. They twisted and broke from the heat. Firefighters arrived quickly, but their ladders could not reach the upper floors. Many workers had to make a terrible choice. They either faced the flames or jumped from the windows.

The Owners and the Court Case

The factory owners, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, survived the fire. They went to the roof when the fire started. After the fire, they faced legal trouble. They were accused of causing the deaths of the workers. Their trial began in December 1911.

During the trial, the prosecution said the owners knew the exit doors were locked. This made it hard for workers to escape. However, the defense argued that there was no proof the owners knew about the locked doors. The jury decided that the owners were not guilty of the serious charges.

Later, in 1913, there was another court case. This was a civil lawsuit for wrongful death. In this case, the owners were found responsible for the deaths. The families of the victims were given a small amount of money, about $75 for each person who died. The owners also received a large amount of money from their insurance company.

In 1913, Max Blanck was arrested again. This was because he locked a factory door during working hours. He was fined only $20, which was the smallest fine possible.

How the Fire Changed Things

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was a huge tragedy. But it also led to important changes. Before the fire, laws about worker safety were very weak. This disaster showed everyone how dangerous factories could be.

Because of the fire, people demanded better safety rules. New laws were created to protect workers. This included rules about fire exits, sprinklers, and building safety. The fire also helped create stronger workers' unions. Groups like the International Ladies Garment Union fought for better working conditions and fair treatment for factory workers. The fire became a symbol of the fight for workers' rights.

Images for kids

• 

  Asch building's internal staircase

• 

  The building's 9th floor

• 

  The building's 10th floor

• 

  The twisted fire escape

• 

  Exterior of the Building

• 

  Exterior and Interior of the Building

• 

  Max Blanck and Isaac Harris

• 

  The building's south side, with windows marked X from which 50 women jumped

• 

  Triangle Fire Coalition logo

• 

  Hilda Solis, the American Secretary of Labor, speaking at the Centennial Memorial; the Brown (Asch) Building is on the far right.

See also

In Spanish: Incendio en la fábrica Triangle Shirtwaist de Nueva York para niños