Question

Why were some 500 workers unable to escape the Triangle Shirtwaist Company clothing factory when fire broke out in 1911?

1) There were no ladders.
2) The doors were locked.
3) The workers were not aware of the fire.
4) They were able to escape through the fire escapes.

Answer 1

The Triangle Shirtwaist Company workers were unable to escape the fire for various reasons, including the absence of ladders, locked doors, lack of awareness, and the unavailability of a functioning fire escape.

Step-by-step explanation:

In 1911, a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company clothing factory in New York City, resulting in the deaths of 146 workers. Many of these workers were unable to escape for several reasons:

1. There were no ladders available for the firefighters to reach the top floor of the building where the fire started, which prevented them from rescuing the trapped workers.
2. One of the exit doors was locked by the company to prevent the workers from taking breaks, leaving them with limited escape routes.
3. Some workers were not aware of the fire until it was too late to evacuate.

Unfortunately, the fire escape present in the building had collapsed, making it impossible for the workers to use it as an escape route.