Question 1
On April 18, 1906, a powerful earthquake struck San Francisco. The shaking broke water pipes all over the city. Because there was little water pressure, firefighters could not put out the many small blazes that started when gas lines snapped. The scattered flames joined into huge fires that burned for three days. Thousands of buildings were destroyed. After the disaster, city leaders studied what had gone wrong. Engineers reported that weak brick walls and loose chimneys fell easily, and that wooden buildings stood too close together, allowing flames to jump from house to house. In response, San Francisco wrote new building rules. The updated code required stronger materials, tighter anchors for chimneys, and more space between wooden structures. The city also placed extra water cisterns under streets to provide emergency supplies. These changes were meant to limit damage if another earthquake or fire occurred.
What happened because of the earthquake and fires of 1906?
- Firefighters decided to stop using water hoses in future emergencies.
- The city created stricter building codes and added emergency water cisterns.
- Gas companies stopped delivering fuel to all homes for the next decade.
- Wooden houses were moved closer together to save space.