{"product_id":"the-collinwood-tragedy-the-story-of-the-worst-school-fire-in-american-history-9781606353912","title":"The Collinwood Tragedy: The Story of the Worst School Fire in American History","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eA devastating loss of life and a community's response\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarch 4, 1908, was an ordinary morning in Collinwood, Ohio, a village about ten miles outside of Cleveland. Children at Lakeview Elementary School were at work on their lessons when fifth-grader Emma Neibert noticed wisps of smoke, a discovery that led to a panicked stampede inside the school--the chaos of nine teachers trying to control and then save pupils in overcrowded classrooms. Outside, desperate parents and would-be rescuers fought to save as many children as possible, while Collinwood's inadequate volunteer fire department--joined by members of the Cleveland fire department--fought a losing battle with the rapidly spreading blaze.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile some inside jumped from the building to safety, most were trapped. Ultimately, 172 children, two teachers, and one rescue worker were killed, and the Collinwood community was irrevocably changed.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe fire's staggering death toll shocked the entire country and resulted in impassioned official inquiries about the fire's cause, the building's structure, and overall safety considerations. Regionally, and eventually nationwide, changes were implemented in school structures and construction materials.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Collinwood Tragedy: The Story of the Worst School Fire in American History\u003c\/em\u003e describes not only the events of that fateful day but also their lingering effects. James Jessen Badal's extensive research reveals how the citizens of Collinwood were desperate to find someone to blame for the tragedy. Rumor and suspicion splintered the grieving community. And yet they also rose to the challenge of healing: officials reached out to immigrant families unsure of their rights; city charities, churches, and relief agencies responded immediately with medical help, comfort for the bereaved, and financial support; and fundraising efforts to assist families totaled more than $50,000--more than $1 million in today's terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Kent State University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/25\/2020\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781606353912\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.60lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.90h x 5.90w x 0.60d","brand":"James Jessen Badal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42917313282229,"sku":"9781606353912","price":21.21,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_a9fd3dff-a203-4219-a84e-006af357ee81.jpg?v=1687282216","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-collinwood-tragedy-the-story-of-the-worst-school-fire-in-american-history-9781606353912","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}