On the day of the fire at 4:40pm the 8th floor caught aflame (from what is thought to be a discarded cigarette), there was no plan, never even practice of a fire drill. After eighteen minutes of the fire, the last body jumped from the window ceil to her death. While some were saved from a jam packed elevator, others searched for a way to exit the flames that possessed their workplace. Unfortunately 146 people were caught in the inescapable fire. Some jumped holding hands, holding each other, while the others died in the midst of the fire. Charcoaled bodies were carried and brought down from the top three floors, later to be identified by family and friends.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire most definitely could have been prevented. Sprinkles and fire drills were happening in other factories, but not in the Triangle Factory. Later evidence discovered that the ninth floor exits, with three-hundred employees, had been locked. They were trapped, without any ability to rescue themselves. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory continues to show an incredible amount of relevance in our labor world today. We are continuously witnessing these same situations occurring tool throughout the world, in what is supposed to be a contemporary time of progressive labor conditions. However it is evident to see that the conditions of labor workers are still be undermined.

 

Charcoaled bodies that lay arrest from the deadly fire

As well as delivering a powerful film a panel discussion followed the film. The panel featured, Heather Boushey, Senior Economist, Center for American Progress, Kirstin Downey, Author and Michael Kazin, Professor, Department of History, Georgetown University.

The Los Angeles Times shadows the tragedy of one of New York’s worst disasters: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/chatter/2011/03/the-triangle-shirtwaist-fire.html

CNN concludes with the aftermath of the Triangle Fires and the legacy it has left behind:
http://articles.cnn.com/2011-03-22/opinion/fraser.triangle.fire_1_triangle-owners-fire-walls-triangle-shirtwaist?_s=PM:OPINION