Many of the large cities had 'Great fires' at some point in their histories, some more than one. Typical causes were wood construction and poor hazard awareness.
The Baltimore fire of 1904 however seems to be a classic case of how absolutly not to store dangerous materials....And reads like a poor Fire chief's worst nightmare...
From Cassier's magazine. 1906:
The great fire which destroyed nearly the whole of Baltimore, Maryland,
last year would not have occurred but for an unusual amount of celluloid
goods stored on the premises where the fire originated. The fire having
gained headway, the intense heat caused the celluloid to ignite, filling
the building with dense volumes of smoke, impregnated with carbon monoxide,
and upon the arrival of the firemen the building was "opened up," admitting
the necessary amount of fresh air to form an explosive mixture.
The explosion which immediately followed the admission of fresh air,
cast fire brands in all directions.
An establishment directly opposite, carrying a line of sportsman's goods,
along with a quantity of gun-powder, was one of the first buildings to ignite.
The explosion of the gun-powder tossed fire brands and burning timbers among
surrounding properties.
A pyrotechnic manufacturing establishment nearby was
soon in flames, and the explosion of the contents, such as skyrockets, mines,
Roman-candles, and articles of similar explosive character, were shot in all directions.
These fell on many of the roofs of buildings, and ignited the shingles, the
prevailing form of roof covering in the city of Baltimore on the memorable
Sunday of February 7, 1904.
Many of the rockets entered unoccupied buildings, starting fires which were not
discovered until well advanced.
Celluloid toilet articles, such as hair brushes, match cases, cigar holders,
pipe stems, lamp shades, are made by subjecting gun-cotton and camphor to
hydraulic pressure; this composition is very combustible, igniting at a
low temperature of 290 degrees to 300 degrees F."
