Great Chicago Fire - Cause - Pipe Smoking

[ashdigger]

As a fire investigator, I make my living performing what is considered Origin and Cause. I read an article today that involved forensic reconstruction and analysis of the Great Chicago Fire. Here's an excerpt:
The article is about a world renowned Fire Investigator who is retiring. I'm using this without express permission, so I've X'd out his name.

the scene of one of the biggest fires in U.S. history,” and one he believes he’s helped solve – and it wasn’t Mrs. O’Leary’s cow.
Xxxx and the team he worked with on that puzzle, concluded the Great Chicago Fire was started accidentally by a spark from a pipe smoked by an O’Leary neighbor named “Pegleg” Sullivan, whose story at the time, of having seen the blaze from his house, is debunked by its location behind walls that would have blocked his view.

Cases like this aren't unique in my profession. Time doesn't erase the facts or circumstances.....and often it's easier to investigate a fire without too much interaction from witnesses. Witnesses are too unreliable where fire artifacts are unbiased. They're just evidence and data points.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Interesting! Please don't tell the FDA, though.....

 

[didimauw]

That's funny stuff right there! Kinda hope it's true! One point for pipe smokers!

 

[jabo]

Ah, everyone is always looking for a cause. It's history. Let it lay !

 

[mawnansmiff]

"The most popular tale blames Mrs. O'Leary's cow, who allegedly knocked over a lantern; others state that a group of men were gambling inside the barn and knocked over a lantern. Still other speculation suggests that the blaze was related to other fires in the Midwest that day."
I have read the OP twice now but am unsure where the pipe comes into the story :?
Regards,
Jay.

 

[ashdigger]

Jay, maybe "three" times is the trick. Read the part where I quoted what the investigators concluded.

 

[seagullplayer]

Would love to see how they connect those dots.

 

[ashdigger]

Seagull, me too. I've not read the entire report, just the excerpt.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Thanks Ash, I read it again but am still puzzled by how modern investigators managed to conclude it was a spark from a pipe that was smoked well over 100 years ago that caused the conflagration.
Must be some seriously clever investigators to have worked that one out I have to say 8O
Perhaps they ought send them over to Pudding Lane in London :wink:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[huntertrw]

Actually I have heard that the cow was a closet pipe-smoker!

 

[hmhaines]

I'm holding out until we hear exactly what blend this guy was smoking and in what pipe!

 

[derfatdutchman]

Very interesting. One part of being a fire officer I always find fascinating is Cause and Origin. I guess it a cross between being an insurance producer and firefighter. Your right about the fire artifacts, they can tell the story of what happened better than some people.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"Your[sic] right about the fire artifacts[sic], they can tell the story of what happened better than some people."
But to determine it was down to a pipe smoked almost 150 years later I think is stretching things somewhat. I would love to see how that conclusion was reached given the time span.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[ashdigger]

Jay, you can watch the episode of "Unsolved History -The Great Chicago Fire" for the details. I haven't seen it, I only saw the article except that I posted.
I could explain how I work cold cases, but it would be boring to read. The critical aspects are timelines, witness locations, competent ignition sources and competent fuels.
I'm sure the TV show is more entertaining.

 

[shutterbugg]

He probably dried his tobacco and breath-smoked, that would account for the flying embers.

 

[jitterbugdude]

I can't believe you guys are falling for this. There was no pipe anywhere in the area. This is obviously one of the first attempts by the FDA to control pipe tobacco. By spreading false information about the dangers of pipes the FDA will have an easier time getting most Americans to go along with their plan. On the other hand I've heard through a reliable source that the Jonestown Flood was caused by some pipe tobacco getting caught in the dam's operating machinery. And on a more recent event, there is clear evidence the recent Presidential Election was rigged by a group of pipe smoking zealots. :D

 

[mawnansmiff]

"I could explain how I work cold cases, but it would be boring to read."
Not so Ash, I for one would find such stuff fascinating to read, but then I do read dictionaries too :roll:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[huntertrw]

Newly discovered photographic evidence proves it WAS the cow's fault!

 

[ashdigger]

Hunter, That's udderly ridiculous. :puffpipe:

 

[huntertrw]

ashdigger:
I'm milking this thread for all it's worth!