Final answer:
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911 resulted in 146 deaths due to inadequate safety measures like locked doors, insufficient fire escapes, and firefighters' ladders that didn't reach the high floors, leading to improved safety regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was a catastrophic event that led to the loss of 146 lives in 1911.
The potential problems that contributed to the high death toll include inadequate fire escapes, locked doors to prevent theft, and insufficient firefighting equipment that could not reach the upper floors of the building.
The tragedy awakened the nation to the hazardous conditions industrial workers faced, eventually leading to improved safety regulations and building codes.