Fire Hydrant Report

Another effect of the Baltimore Fire was the induction of standardized parts in fire hydrants. After the fire, the National Fire Protection Association created a standard size for fire hydrants.

In a publication for the United States Department of Commerce Technology Administration, Major U.S. Cities Using National Fire Standard Hydrants, One Century After the Great Baltimore Fire, published in August 2004, “18 out of the 48 most populated U.S. cities have installed national standard fire hydrants” (6). The different fire hydrant connection sizes were initially created to prevent competition among cities. The different fire hydrant supplies were unable to expand to neighboring cities, since each city had their own size. All fire hydrants now need 2.5 inch – hose connection nozzles with 4 threads per inch. There is still a large problem of cities adopting these standards. Many cities only change the sizes once they have a fire. Many fire companies carry hose adapters to work with both hydrants sizes.

Some new facts through additional research

Upon reading Fireproof Magazine, here are some interesting facts about the Baltimore Fire.
- 90 – 95% of the interior of Baltimore City buildings were made of wood. This is one of the reasons that the fire spread so quickly.
- The heat of the fire was thought to get up to 3,000 degrees
This magazine offered many different suggestions to make fireproof buildings. Later in 1904, Baltimore’s City Council created a Handbook of Building Laws. This lasted for until 1908 when formal building codes were drafted.

The Fire Goes Out

As the morning rose, the fire approached Pratt and Light Street Piers. The fire fighters, from Philadelphia, were finally able to halt the fire from spreading farther south, saving Federal Hill and South Baltimore.

The fire was still spreading to the East. Steam Fire Engines lined spread along the water front. Firemen were dangerously driven back. At times they were surrounded by fire as they tried to retreat to safety. Luckily, all firemen reached safety unharmed.


Steam Fire Engine, taken from the Maryland Historical Society

As of 8 AM, all hope of saving East Baltimore, the wharfs, and ports were ablaze.


Map taken from the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

Baltimore’s Last Stand was going to be at the Jones Falls. The majority of the 2,000 firemen and National Guard members stood to stop the fire. Nine engines from New York and two from Wilmington were placed on the east side of the Jones Falls. A total of 37 engines took in water and fought to keep the fire at bay. Finally, around 3 pm, the majority of the fire was out. The fire was out but for weeks its ashes were still smoldering.

The Fire Spreads

Map Courtesy of Enoch Pratt Free Library

The fire started to spread toward the southeast of the city, south to Pratt and east past Calvert St. At 5 pm, the fire department planned to dynamite two downtown buildings to stop to the spread of the fire. John Duer & Son, a carpentry and hardware store, and Schwab Bros, located at Charles and German Street. After the explosion the buildings remained standing and the fire continued to spread.

This ad was placed by John Duer & Son in the Baltimore Merchants & Manufacturers Association of Baltimore’s publication about Baltimore’s city zoning limits. This ad was placed in October 1917, which shows this company was not destroyed after the fire.

Luckily, around 8 pm, the wind began to change. The wind started to move from the west pushing the fire eastward. The stopped the fire just short of City Hall. Fire engines from Philadelphia and Wilmington arrived to help out the fires. In 1904, there were over 600 different sizes of hose couplings used throughout the US. While fire departments tried to make the hoses fit by wrapping them couplings with cloth, it reduced the water pressure which hindered the fire hoses effectiveness.

After midnight, the wind changed once again moving the fire from north east. Another fire started up in the Maryland Institute Association of Mechanical Arts and started to spread around the Center Market and Water Street. As the morning rose , both fires joined together in the middle of the city.

Map Courtesy of Enoch Pratt Free Library

When Fire Company 15 arrived at the John E. Hurst & Company building, they did not think much of the fire. Upon examining the buildings alarm system, the fire appeared to be coming from the basement. Shortly after entering the building, fire fighters entered noticed black smoking coming up from the basement through the elevator shaft. Soon there was a huge explosion coming from the upper floors. This explosion was so intense it blew off the roof, broke many windows, and spewed burning embers on surrounding buildings.


Photo from Enoch Pratt Free Library

The fire initially spread north east towards city hall and court house, due to the southwest blowing winds. All of Baltimore City Fire Fighters were in full force fighting the fires. By 1:30pm, Washington DC fire fighters showed up to assist in putting out the fire. Unfortunately, this was before standardized parts and their couplings did not fit into Baltimore fire hydrants. DC fire fighters wrapped the couplings in cloth so they could attach to the hydrants. But, this made them much less productive. Fire companies that came from other areas had similar problems. There were over 600 different types of fire hose couplings used through out America at this time.

How it all started

Map of Baltimore during 1904. Fire started in the upper right hand corner of highlighted area.


























It all started Sunday, February 7, 1904. At 10:55 am, there was an explosion at the John E. Hurst & Company. John E. Hurst & Company was an importer and wholesaler of dry goods and notions, located in the middle of Hopkins Place and Liberty Street.




























Modern Day View of Hopkins Place & Liberty Street

Courtesy of Enoch Pratt Free Library

Within hours of the explosion, the fire spread to many of the surrounding buildings. Two of Baltimore’s Fire Companies rushed to the scene. Upon assessing the situation, Chief Engineer George Horton called all Fire Companies to Downtown Baltimore. He, also, sent a telegraph to Washington D.C. say “Desperate fire here. Must have help at once.”

Hopkins Savings Bank, located just north of John E. Hurst & Company

Courtesy of Enoch Pratt Free Library

Not Enough Free Time

I have been bogged down with mid-terms, papers and work at The Loading Dock. On Tuesday, my AmeriCorps team heads off and I will have much more time. Once they leave, I plan to take a nap, then start typing a description of the Baltimore fire.