Which fire tragedy led to the implementation of stricter fire codes in the United States?

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire is a pivotal event in fire safety history, primarily because it highlighted the urgent need for stricter fire codes and regulations. Occurring in 1911, this tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 146 garment workers, many of whom were young women, due to a combination of inadequate safety measures and locked exit doors.

The aftermath of the fire ignited public outrage and drew attention to the hazardous working conditions in factories. It catalyzed reform movements that led to the establishment of more stringent building codes and fire safety regulations across the United States. These changes included mandates for fire escapes, improved alarm systems, and the prohibition of locking exit doors during working hours, fundamentally transforming workplace safety standards.

In contrast, while other incidents like the Great Chicago Fire and the San Francisco Fire are significant in fire history, they did not specifically catalyze changes in fire codes as directly or profoundly as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire did. The Boston Fire of 1679, being well before modern fire safety regulations were established, also does not have the same relevance in this context.