Man Made Disasters

The Church of the Company Fire (December 8, 1863) is the largest fire ever to have affected the city of Santiago, Chile. Between 2,000 and 3,000 people died, probably the most people to die in an accidental fire in any one building anywhere in the world.

That night, the fire started before 7 PM, when an oil lamp at the top of the main altar ignited some of the veils that adorned the walls. By a flaw in design, the church of Campania had doors that swung inward. A strong wind blew the doors open during the liturgy. This wind knocked a candle off the podium and interrupted the meeting of worshippers. The burning candle speeded through the church which destroyed the church. More than 2500 people died in the fire.