The Worst and Strangest Fires in History

The Great Fire Of Rome, AD 64

image credit

This notable fire was the worst that Rome ever experienced in ancient times and is still unmatched today. According to ancient historian Tacitus, the fire started in July 18, AD 64 (Roman Calendar) and went on for six days and seven nights. It destroyed three major districts in Rome and severely damaged seven others. The cause of the fire was uncertain. However, there are rumors that Emperor Nero himself initiated the fire so he could later blame it on the Christians, who he persecuted. After the Great Fire, Nero ordered the arrest of many Christians. Some were fed to dogs, others were burned and used as lightposts for the city.

The Great Fire Of London, 1666

image credit

In 1666, most houses in London were wooden. So on the night of September 2, a massive fire quickly spread throughout the city starting from a bakeshop in Pudding Lane. The fire went on for three to four days, partly due to the fact that people used inferior methods of fire extinguishment at that time. The firefighters had to fetch water from the river and throw it at the growing fire. This didn’t work. The fire only died when the government issued an order to destroy properties and houses that are in the path of the flames. At the end of the Great Fire of London, over 13,000 houses have been destroyed either by the fire itself, or by manual demolition. The only positive result of the fire was that it wiped out the so-called Black Plague.

The Peshtigo Fire Of Wisconsin, 1871

image credit

The Peshtigo Fire, which started in October 8, 1971, was the fire which has the most number of deaths recorded in the history of America. It’s primary cause was still unknown, but the initial conflagration started with a firestorm which burned an estimated 1.2 million acres of forest. Strong winds from the west fanned the fire and brought it to the nearby towns, neighbourhoods, and the Peshtigo River itself!

Some eyewitnesses reported that the firestorm even caused a “fire tornado” which consumed lots of people and property. At least 1200 to 2600 people died in the Peshtigo Fire. There are various theories as to what started the firestorm. Experts believe that a comet struck the forests along Peshtigo River. Others have entertained the idea of extraterrestrial landings.

But wait until you hear this. Strangely enough, the Peshtigo Fire occured on the same day with another notable fire, the Great Fire Of Chicago!

The Great Fire Of Chicago, 1871

image credit

This fire was considered as the most famous fire in the history of the United States. It went on for three days, spread throughout Illinois, and killed hundreds of people. There are various versions of the story of the Chicago Fire’s origin. According to the “cow and lantern” story, a cow kicked a lantern and set an entire farm on fire. Others believe that thieves started the fire so they could steal from houses unnoticed. Still, modern studies suggest that a meteor storm occurred that day. A more spine-chilling possibility presented by some is the idea of an extraterrestrial landing on earth on October 8, 1871.

Was the Great Fire of Chicago the result of an alien landing? On the same day, other fires were reported from other parts of the globe, including Peshtigo, Holland, Michigan, and Lake Huron in Canada. The damage and death toll from these fires are irreversible. Furthermore, the true causes of these fires still elude and baffle people until this very day.