Final answer:
The great Chicago fire was caused by the O'Leary family's barn. The fire spread quickly due to the dry summer and the prevalence of wooden buildings in the city. It was too large to be controlled by the firefighters.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cause of the great Chicago fire in 1871 was the O'Leary family's barn. The fire started on October 8 and spread quickly due to several contributing factors. The unusually dry summer made the city more susceptible to fires, and the majority of buildings in Chicago were constructed out of wood, which allowed the flames to spread rapidly. The fire was too large to be controlled by the firefighters, and it finally stopped once it reached Lincoln Park.