Atlanta Fire Deparment Battles Historical Fire

One of the most historical fires to date was fought by the Atlanta Fire Department in December of 1946.

Of course I am referring to the Winecoff Hotel fire which claimed a total of 119 lives.

This huge fire, which ravaged one of Atlanta's premier hotels, required the combined forces of all the Atlanta Fire Department personnel as well as surrounding agencies.

Every available piece of fire equipment in the City of Atlanta was called to extinguish the fire.

Although the Winecoff Hotel fire happened more than 60 years ago, it is still recorded in the history books as "America's deadliest hotel fire."

The reason for this tragic distinction is that even though there have been subsequent hotel fires involving large numbers of fatalities, none have exceeded (in the United States)those lost at the Winecoff.

However, despite the negative label of having the greatest number lost, a tremendous amount of good has come as a result of the tragedy.

The Winecoff Hotel fire resulted in major changes being made in the existing fire codes.

Because of these changes, enclosed stairwells, sprinkler systems and other safety features have been included in the construction of hotels.

The fact that there has been lower loss of life in fires involving hotels, is a direct testament to these changes.

During my research on this historical fire, I discovered an eye-witness account of what happened at 176 Peachtree street.

The fact that this is a first-hand "I was there" report is amazing in itself. But to make it even more valuable is to learn the identity of the author of the report.

Deputy Chief Campbell of the Atlanta Fire Department was a lieutenant at the time of the Winecoff fire. In his report that he wrote in 1969, Chief Campbell gives a fire fighter's viewpoint of this historical fire.

If you are like me, you will find this to be fascinating reading.

Here is Chief Campbell's report on the Winecoff Hotel fire.

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