This Day in History

[xoxoxoBruce]

In less than 30 hours the fire lasted...

One reason for the fire's long duration involved the lack of national standards in firefighting equipment. Despite fire engines from nearby cities (such as Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. as well as units from New York City, Virginia, Wilmington, and Atlantic City) responding with horse-drawn pumpers, wagons and other related equipment (primitive by modern day standards, but only steam engines were motorized in that era) carried by the railroads on flat cars and box cars, many were unable to help since their hose couplings could not fit Baltimore's fire hydrants.

By railroad? Wow, clear the tracks. Philly, NYC, Wilmington, and Washington are on the main line but like Atlantic City, others would have to change tracks.