A little after 2:15 p.m., on June 6, 1889, John Back, a woodworking assistant, needed glue. He tossed small chunks of solid glue into a gluepot to melt, placing the pot on a gasoline fire (via University of Washington and 1889). Accounts vary as to how the fire began, but most agree that Back's gluepot ignited and liquid flames spilled onto the floor that was covered in wood chips and turpentine — a highly flammable combination. Sources agree that Back tried to douse the fire in water, but only helped spread the flaming liquid. Luckily, the Pontius Building located on the corner of Front Street (now First Avenue) and Madison was safely evacuated (per History Link). Firefighters arrived at 2:45 p.m., but during that time, the fire spread.

That spring, exceptionally pleasant weather had provided a welcome relief for residents of the notoriously soggy and gray Pacific Northwest. However, dry conditions, sunny days, and temperatures in the 70s had turned the city's wooden structures into a tinderbox (via University of Washington). Buildings at the time were connected by a network of basements. The fire easily slipped underground from building to building, confounding relief efforts that could not identify the fire's source through the smoke (per 1889). To make matters worse, the fire's first few stops were a liquor store and two saloons. The alcohol within each establishment only strengthened the blaze. Water collection issues, spurred by a low tide, made containing the fire nearly impossible (via University of Washington).

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