Final answer:
Multiple factors contributed to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, including negligent safety practices such as locked exits, inadequate fire escapes, and insufficient government regulation leading to reforms in workplace safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The responsibility for the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which occurred on March 25, 1911, can be attributed to a combination of multiple factors. Critical safety issues within the factory included locked exit doors to prevent employee theft, inadequate fire escapes that could not withstand the emergency, and the absence of an effective firefighting response due to the ladders being too short. The building's construction materials did not specifically cause the fire, but the poor infrastructure and lack of safety protocols were significant issues. The factory owners’ neglect of worker safety and the inadequate government regulations contributed to the tragedy. This disaster underlined the importance of workplace safety and led to widespread reforms in labor laws and the improvement of firefighting equipment and strategies.