Читать книгу Disaster Response and Recovery - David A. McEntire - Страница 44

Fires that impact buildings and homes may also be labeled as technological hazards. These fires result from smoking, cooking, and carelessness with fireplaces. Others are caused by arsonists. Besides decimating structures, these events can kill scores or hundreds of people. The disturbing list of such fires throughout history includes the Richmond Theater Fire in 1811, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factor fire in 1911, the Coconut Grove fire in 1942, the Mercy Hospital Fire in 1950, the Warrenton Nursing Home fire in 1957, the Golden Age Nursing Home fire in 1963, the Sennichi Department Store fire in 1972, the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire in 1977, the Dupont Plaza Hotel fire in 1986, the Happy Land fire in 1990, the Dabwali fire in 1995, and the Ycua Bolanos Supermarket fire in 2004. Other fires have resulted from the improper use of fireworks such as the Mesa Redonda fire in 2001, the Lame Horse fire in 2009, the Puttingal temple fire in 2016, the San Pablito market fire in 2016, the Tultepec explosion in 2018, and the Ontario explosion in 2021. Notable fires have also occurred for various reasons at the National Museum of Brazil fire in 2018 and the Notre Dame fire in 2019.

While many of these fires are accidental or intentional, others result from improper wiring of equipment or facilities. A conspicuous example is the MGM Hotel fire in Las Vegas, Nevada, that occurred on 21 November 1980. The electrical connection for a pastry display case sparked due to a faulty ground connection. Wire connections lacked plastic insulation and the vibration from the fan caused the bare electrical conductors to arch. The combustible material in the seats and other materials in the restaurant caused quick acceleration of burning. No sprinkler suppression systems were installed in this part of the hotel and many of the fire escape doors were locked. Smoke quickly filled the building through the ventilation system. Eighty‐five people died and another 650 were injured. Poisoning from carbon monoxide on upper floors were the main cause of death, which prompted a major investigation. Code changes were implemented in Nevada and the reconstruction of the MGM in 1981 included additional sprinkler systems, a speaker system for warning, and a new air‐conditioning system.