The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

An undated photo of Triangle Shirtwaist Co. employees courtesy of HBO.

March 26, 1911: “A 13-year-old girl hung for three minutes by her fingertips to the sill of a 10th-floor window. A tongue of flame licked at her fingers and she dropped into a life net held by firemen. Two women fell into the net at almost the same moment. The strands parted and the two were added to the death list. “A girl threw her pocketbook, then her hat, then her furs from a 10th-floor window. A moment later her body came whirling after them to death." ALSO Last Survivor of 1911 Sweatshop Fire Dies

Comments

[Kaitlin]

This is truly a terrible event. I found this chilling eyewitness account from UPI reporter Bill Shepherd who was at the scene before firefighters or police. Tragic Photos included. http://bit.ly/ieLGON

[Megan]

Great story! A local Pittsburgh group just published a report and a video about this and how it's still occurring in the world: http://www.globallabourrights.org/.

[Mary Mallory]

The owner was somewhat prevaricating in his comments, the girls were kept from getting to the inside fire escapes, and one door was locked to prevent escape. They were held like virtual prisoners in the rooms.

[CatM]

Ironic that the fire escape and water buckets are boldly displayed in this picture.