The Great Seattle Fire Multiple Choice Quiz

Answer the multiple choice questions about the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.
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Macaco
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Last updated: January 6, 2026
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First submittedJanuary 6, 2026
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1. Approximately how many people were killed in the fire?
There were no known human deaths during the fire. However, about 1 million rats were killed.
0
15
300
85
2. What caused the fire?
John Back, an assistant at a woodworking shop, was heating glue over a gasoline fire when it boiled over and ignited the wood chips and turpentine covering the floor.
A glue pot boiling over and igniting wood shavings on the floor
A spark in an unattended bakery oven
A cow kicking over a lantern and setting a barn on fire
Ruptured gas mains and collapsing structures after a major earthquake
3. How long did the fire last?
The fire started around 2:30 p.m. on June 6 and burnt until 3 a.m. on June 7.
Three days
Four days
36 hours
Less than 24 hours
4. How many city blocks did the fire burn?
Burning 120 acres, the fire destroyed multiple wharves and mills, displaced thousands, and put around 5,000 men out of their jobs.
48
33
22
25
5. The fire took place in present-day...
Capitol Hill
University District
Georgetown
Pioneer Square
6. What did business owners do after their businesses were destroyed in the fire?
Within a month of the fire, over 100 businesses were operating out of tents.
They waited until the area was re-built to open their businesses again
Many of them changed careers in order to make a living
They moved to other areas of Seattle to open new stores
They immediately re-opened their businesses in makeshift tents
7. After the fire, a new building ordinance resulted in...
More distance in between buildings
Buildings being required to have more than one exit
Buildings only being built on streets that had fire hydrants
More buildings made of brick and stone instead of wood
8. What change did NOT take place in Seattle after the fire?
The already-existing volunteer fire department was replaced by a professional fire department after the fire.
A volunteer fire department was formed
The size of the water pipes was increased
The street level was raised in order to level the hilly city
More fire hydrants were added
9. The total losses from the fire were estimated at...
Despite this, most of the city was re-built within a year and the population increased by nearly 33%.
$5 million
$10 million
$15 million
$20 million
10. Many artifacts from the fire are currently on display at which museum?
Including the pot and glue that started the fire.
Wing Luke Museum
Museum of History and Industry
Harbor History Museum
Washington State History Museum
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