What Was The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire?

A photo showing the aftermath of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, one of the most infamous incidents in American industrial history, occurred in New York City on March 25, 1911. Many of the deaths were preventable, and most of the victims died because of neglected safety features, lack of space, and locked doors within the factory building. The tragedy brought widespread attention to the dangerous sweatshop conditions of the early 20th century factories and contributed to the development of a series of laws and regulations that better protected the safety of workers. 

Building Backstory

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory was owned by Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, and it was located on the top floors of the Asch Building. The Asch Building was designed by architect John Woolley. According to building’s owner (Joseph J. Asch), it was fireproof. By the standards of the time, Asch’s claim was true. No law required fire escapes, fire sprinklers, or outward opening doors, and the addition of these features were up to the building superintendent, who held most of the power when it came to these matters. However, there was a rule that required at least three enclosed staircases for the building, which had 10 floors and a floor area of 10,000 square feet per floor. Despite adamant objections by the building superintendent, John Woolley worked around that rule. He got away with putting only two staircases, as he claimed that the fire escape ladder in the rear would serve as a third staircase and therefore as a route to safety in case of a fire or emergency. However, this would later prove to be tragically wrong.

Triangle Factory Owners’ Backstories

Max Blanck and Isaac Harris had moved into the 8th floor of the Asch Building. Blanck and Harris were known as the "Shirtwaist Kings," and they were Russian-born Jewish immigrants who had made a fortune manufacturing shirtwaists—extravagant blouses that had exploded in popularity in the clothing industry. Hundreds of employees worked at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Blanck and Harris never kept a consistent payroll for these workers and were never aware about how many of them were in the building at a time. Competition among subcontractors was fierce, driving wages lower and lower. By 1908, Blanck and Harris had occupied the 9th and 10th floor of the Asch Building as well. They were known for disregarding fire and safety regulations, forcing workers into a dehumanizing bag search before they left their shift, and imposing strict discipline during work hours. They were firmly opposed to unions and dismissed workers suspected of organizing unions.

Working Conditions at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory was the epitome of a sweatshop, and they employed immigrant teenagers and kids, who were squished in between rows and rows of sewing machines. Although there were four elevators, only one functioned properly. Even if the workers wanted to use it, they would have to wait in a long, narrow hallway. Nearby, there were two stairways: one was locked from the outside to prevent theft, while the other opened inward, preventing workers from leaving easily. The fire escape was also so narrow and poorly constructed that it would have likely taken hours for everyone to escape if they used that exit. These conditions played a major role in the fire’s high death toll.

Though the risk of fire was well known, city corruption and a desire to cut costs meant that no fire prevention measures were enforced. The owners already had a suspicious history involving multiple factory fires, with some accusing them of intentionally allowing the fires to happen. Blanck and Harris were also infamous for their unethical practices. Workers earned just $15 a week (~$500 today) despite long hours. When the International Ladies Garment Workers Union decided to go on strike in 1909, demanding better wages and shorter hours, Blanck and Harris were part of the few factory owners who refused to comply with their demands. Instead, they hired police to arrest strikers and bribed politicians to stay out of the commotion.

What Caused the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire?

A painting by Eric Edward Esper showing the fire taking place.

On March 25, with 600 workers present, a fire broke out in a bin of fabric scraps. The manager tried to put out the fire with a hose, but it didn’t work. As the flames spread, panic swept the building. Many workers rushed to the elevator, which could carry only 12 people at a time. The operator managed just four trips before the elevator broke down due to heat and damage. Some workers, desperate to escape, jumped down the elevator shaft to their deaths.

Others who attempted to use the stairwells faced locked doors and were trapped, facing the same demise. On the other hand, workers on the upper floors, as well as the owners, fled to the roof and managed to escape. When firefighters arrived, they witnessed a horrifying scene. Many young workers were trapped and began leaping from windows to escape the blaze. The fire ladders reached only the seventh floor, while fire itself was on the eighth. In one tragic instance, three workers jumped into a life net at once, causing it to tear. In just 18 minutes, the fire had claimed 146 lives. Most victims died from burns, smoke inhalation, fatal falls, or injuries sustained during the disaster.

The Significance of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

While the fire was a catastrophic tragedy, it also cultivated change. The disaster is often credited for leading to the establishment of widespread labor unions. On the 5th of April, a massive protest march was held on Fifth Avenue in New York City, drawing 80,000 people. 

Despite overwhelming evidence of negligence on the owners’ part, a grand jury decided not to indict Blanck and Harris for manslaughter charges. Eventually, they settled to pay just $75 (~$2500 today) in compensation per victim. However, the tragedy did lead to changes in the law and government. The Sullivan-Hoey Fire Prevention Law, swiftly enacted in October 1911, mandated critical safety measures like fire drills and sprinkler systems. The Citizens’ Committee on Safety was established as well to advocate for broader labor protections. These were vital in helping prevent similar disasters in the future.