Something's Burning Trivia Quiz

Answer: New York

The General Slocum was ferrying a large number of passengers to a church picnic when a fire broke out. Poorly maintained safety equipment, an ill trained crew, and bad decision making by the captain all contributed to the disaster. The ferry eventually sank in shallow water with the loss of 1,021 lives from the estimated 1,342 passengers and crew.

This loss of life from one incident was the worst in New York until the 9/11 attacks.

Answer: Victoria

A prolonged dry spell, with record high temperatures up to 45* degrees C (113* F) and tinder dry bush provided the perfect ingredients for a serious fire threat in the countryside close to the city of Melbourne prior to 7th February.
On that day, very high winds felled power lines amidst the dry bush, and several fires started. Despite massive fire fighting efforts, the fires quickly spread out of control, and eventually consumed several towns in the area. Over 1,800 houses were destroyed, with 173 deaths and 400 injuries.

Answer: A butane stove used by passengers

Investigations into the cause of the fire found the remains of a butane stove in the area where the fire originated. At the time of the disaster, some Middle Eastern airlines permitted some passengers to use butane stoves to prepare food in accordance with Muslim requirements. All such on board practices were banned after this incident.

Answer: The Vikings

The Vikings is an adventure film released in 1958 based the novel of the same name by Edison Marshall. The film follows the trials and tribulations of a family of Norsemen about 1000 years ago.
The method of placing bodies of Viking royalty and warriors on burning ships has been disputed as inaccurate by archaeological evidence which suggests that ships were used in such burials, but as land based funeral pyres.

Answer: Controlled back burning

Back burning is used to create a firebreak across the path of a wildfire, by reducing the amount of flammable material available for the fire to use.

Answer: 4 days

The fire started in a bakery in the middle of the city on Sunday 2 September.
High winds, dry conditions, lack of water and fire fighting equipment and crammed timber buildings caused the fire to rage out of control.
By Wednesday , the winds had died down, and the successful clearing of firebreaks by authorities allowed the fire to largely burn itself out.
While the exact death toll is unknown, it was thought few people were killed. The fire led to the construction of a better planned city, and helped remove the conditions that had lead to the outbreak of the disastrous plague of 1665.

Answer: Berlin 1944

Napalm is a mixture of a jelly like gel and gasoline. When ignited, the substance adheres to all surfaces, and can burn for many minutes.
The product was invented at Harvard University early in World War 2, and its first recorded use in incendiary bombs was by the US Army Air Corps in a raid on Berlin in March 1944.

Answer: Edinburgh 1824

There were various fire fighting groups organised in cities throughout the world prior to 1832. However, these groups were established by private companies such as insurance companies, or as part of military or policing activities. The (Municipal) Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment was formed under the leadership of James Braidwood - who also became instrumental in founding the London Fire Brigade.

Answer: Cocoanut Grove

On the night of one of the worst nightclub fires in history, an estimated one thousand people crammed into the club which was rated for a maximum figure of 460. Once the fire had broken out as a result of an accident with matches, it spread rapidly throughout the club - boosted by masses of paper decorations, cloth draperies and flammable fittings.

There were limited escape routes, with windows blocked, and the few escape doors swinging inwards. The terrible loss of life lead to improvements of many safety codes, such as outwards opening doors, better lit exit signs and removal of all obstacles to exterior escape routes.

Answer: love

The theme of fire features in a number of songs , including "Play With Fire" by the Rolling Stones, "I'm on Fire" by Bruce Springsteen, and "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel. Perhaps the most popular of the Fire songs is "Light My Fire" by The Doors.