Dbq Chicago Fire

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T he Great Chicago Fire was one of the most devastating disasters in history. It killed hundreds and left over 100,000 homeless. At the time, 1871, Chicago was one of the busiest cities in the country. To make sure everyone had a place to live, city officials looked for cheap building materials. The cheapest by far was wood. To save money, the mayor decided to use wood to build the entire city. Even sidewalks were made from wood. The summer of 1871 was abnormally dry. Chicago received less than half the rain they received the year before. But the Chicago wind was still gusting around. On the night of October 8, Mrs.O’Leary was milking her cow. No one knows for sure how, but the barn caught on fire. Many believe the cow kicked

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