Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com, featuring numerous photos: Chief Fire Marshal Michael Corrigan feared he was witnessing an apocalypse when flames raced across a complex of livestock pens on Chicago’s South Side, 85 years ago. "At one point, I thought it would reach Lake Michigan," he told a Tribune reporter at the scene. "It was coming toward us so fast and the heat was unbearable—no one could stand in its path. I immediately called for 40 fire companies to respond." The Union Stock Yards fire of May 19, 1934, was the second most destructive in Chicago's history, after the Great Fire of 1871. The smoke was visible from a United Airlines plane flying over South Bend, Indiana, 95 miles away. As the plane approached Midway Airport, the city of Chicago practically vanished behind the thick cloud. The stockyards, which had inspired Carl Sandburg to call Chicago the “Hog Butcher for the World,†covered about a square mile between Halsted Street, Ashland Avenue, 39th, and 47th streets. To the east, the Bridgeport neighborhood narrowly escaped destruction when the fire leaped across Halsted. Firefighters used dynamite to create firebreaks, but before they could blow up homes, the fire reached them. "From the saloons, small groceries, and upper-floor rooms, terrified workers and residents fled," the Tribune reported. "The flames moved so quickly that firefighters sometimes had to abandon their hoses and run for their lives." A fire station inside the stockyards was destroyed, along with six fire engines, a hook and ladder truck, and 5,000 feet of hose. At the time, a branch line of the South Side "L" brought workers to the stockyards. The intense heat damaged the elevated structure, and the Halsted Street station burned down. When the power was cut off, the crew abandoned an "L" car, which was also destroyed. As with the 1871 fire, this one followed a dry spell that turned the wooden animal pens into kindling. A motorist throwing a lit cigarette out of the window while driving on a viaduct near Morgan Avenue over 43rd Street ignited a pile of hay in a cattle pen at 4:14 p.m. A worker said he often saw drivers do this. One of the first to spot the fire was Isaac Means, a watchman. He shouted "Fire!" to nearby workers, but stayed behind to try to save some animals. His body was found the next day in the wreckage. Other employees rode horses to drive sheep, cattle, and horses to an improvised corral on a nearby playground. However, 30 to 40 animals were seen running through the streets when the cowboys returned to rescue more. Highland Stamp, the grand champion shorthorn bull from the previous year’s livestock show, was saved, as were eight award-winning cows. But the venue where they won their prizes was destroyed, along with several pens filled with cattle. The International Amphitheater was later built on the site. With the fire raging, radio stations broadcast the fire marshal’s call for off-duty firefighters to come to the scene. Hundreds responded and were given hand pumps to water buildings at risk. Sirens echoed across the city as five-sixths of Chicago’s fire trucks rushed to the stockyards. Their stations were staffed by units from Blue Island, Chicago Heights, Oak Lawn, and other suburbs. With 200 police officers managing crowds, volunteers took over their usual duties. Leonard Smuezymski, an 11-year-old boy living near 40th Street and Racine Avenue, directed traffic at that intersection when the regular officer was absent. Several Boy Scout troops brought water to the firefighters, and John Russell, the owner of a tavern on Halsted Street, donated beer to the men. He figured if his business was in the fire’s path, he might as well help. His tavern survived. Other nearby buildings did not fare as well. In the extreme heat, gas tanks of parked cars exploded along Emerald and Union avenues. Jim O’Leary’s famous gambling house, a two-story frame building, went up in flames, as did the Stockyards Inn, a well-known hotel, and the Saddle and Sirloin Club, where celebrities dined. The New Exchange Building, home to over 100 commission firms, was also destroyed. Radio station WAAF, located in the Exchange Building, was knocked off the air, and seven firefighters were trapped on its roof, nine floors above ground. An 85-foot aerial ladder was raised but was too short to reach them. Just as they prepared to jump, Lt. Thomas Morrissey climbed the ladder with a 15-foot pompier ladder—a tool with a curved hook that can grab a window ledge or cornice. The ladder bridged the gap, allowing the firefighters to descend safely. Morrissey had been off duty but heard the call and volunteered for the dangerous rescue. By 8:30 p.m., the fire was under control, but at midnight, firefighters were still battling isolated flames. On Sunday, insurance adjusters and fire marshals estimated the damage at $8 million—equivalent to over $150 million today—and 50 people were injured, mostly firefighters suffering from smoke inhalation or burns. Isaac Means, the watchman who stayed behind, was the only fatality. Between 400 and 1,000 animals perished. On Monday, the stockyards reopened for business even as fire department snowplows cleared the debris. 1,500 new workers were hired to rebuild and repair structures and pens. Farmers were advised to hold back livestock destined for Chicago, and St. Louis offered to process some. Yet, despite the devastation, Chicago refused to admit it needed outside help. Amid smoldering ruins and crumbling walls, trading resumed in Chicago. "We're getting along all right," said O.T. Henkle, the stockyards' general manager, to the Tribune. "Of course, in normal times, every commission merchant has their own pens out there, but today they’re all working together, cooperating, and the livestock is kept moving." In fact, the day’s receipts included 12,000 cattle, 26,000 hogs, and 5,000 sheep—all sold at higher prices than they had before the market closed on Saturday. Reel Handling Manipulator, manipulator crane,roll manipulator,material handling,robotic arm manipulator Jiangyin Tongli Industrial Co.,Ltd , https://www.manipulator17.com