The Devastating Earthquake and Fires

On April 19, 1906, San Francisco was engulfed in fires following a devastating earthquake that struck the day before. The earthquake cracked water mains, leaving the city's firefighters struggling to extinguish the flames as their water supply ran dry. Fire crews, assisted by soldiers, began using dynamite to create fire breaks, but the use of explosives created more fires, exacerbating the crisis. With the chaos escalating, Mayor Eugene Schmitz issued a shoot-to-kill order for suspected looters, and vigilante groups also took the law into their hands. The city's fire chief was hospitalized, leaving military leaders like General Frederick Funston to take control of firefighting and relief efforts, though their tactics were met with criticism.