The Chicago Fire

Read the text and do the tasks



A City Burns Down

Around 8 pm on the night of October 8^th, 1971, Patrick and Catherine O’Leary of 13, De Koven Street, Chicago went to bed. Soon after, a fire broke out in their barn. One of the O’Learys’ neighbours was walking by when they saw flames coming from the barn. He shouted for help and neighbours rushed to the fire with buckets of water. They were unable to put out the fire, and it quickly spread to other homes. Soon the whole neighbourhood was in flames. Most of the homes and buildings in Chicago were wooden at the time and with the help of the wind the fire quickly grew. Unfortunately, firefighters went to the wrong location and by the time they reached the fire it was out of control. People began to panic. They were running in the streets, while buildings were burning down around them. When the fire reached the Chicago River, people thought it was finally over, but, with the help of the wind, sparks jumped over the river and buildings on the other side caught fire. The fire then headed for the city centre. Government buildings, hotels and businesses burnt to the ground. After two days, rain began to fall, and on the morning of October 10^th, 1871, the fire finally died out. One of the biggest American disasters of the 19^th century left 300 people dead, 100,000 people homeless and 17,500 buildings destroyed. The people of Chicago immediately began to rebuild their city from this disaster that started with a small fire in the O’Learys’ barn.

Which year was the Great Chicago Fire?

Who was the first to write about a cow starting the fire?

What helped the fire spread faster?

How many people were homeless after the fire?

How many kilometres of Chicago did the fire burn?

Chicago burnt for two days.

After crossing the river the fire began to die down.

The Chicago Fire broke out in a house.

At the time in Chicago most of the buildings, sidewalks and roads were brick.

One of the O'Leary's neighbours ________ by when he ________ flames coming from the barn.

People _______ to panic. They ________ in the streets, while buildings _______ down around them.

When the fire _______ the Chicago River, people ________ it was finally over.