The story that Mrs. O'Leary's cow started the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 is probably a myth. It is more likely that it was started in her barn by some men who were playing cards and drinking. Left unchecked a fire will double in size every 30 seconds. A fire fighters chance of success is significantly reduced if the fire spreads vertically to two or more floors. Experts have determined that at least 11 fire fighters are required to accomplish a safe initial assault on the interior of a single-family dwelling fire.
More women die attempting to escape fire than men.
Those who died in their rooms in the MGM Grand Hotel fire had either broken or left their windows open. There were no deaths in rooms where wet towels were stuffed in cracks around the doors. A wastebasket fire can consume an entire room in 5 minutes. In the July 1994 fire at Storm King Mountain which killed 14 fire fighters, professionals estimate the fire moved 650 yards in 25 seconds. Once flames appear, a fire can engulf a home in 3 minutes.