NEW YORK — 1911 · Major Tragedy

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

ClosedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

On the afternoon of Saturday 25 March 1911, fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, which occupied the 8th, 9th and 10th floors of the Asch Building in Manhattan. With one stairway door locked, the single fire escape collapsing and no sprinklers in the building, 146 workers died. Most of the victims were young Italian and Jewish immigrant women. The factory owners were tried but not convicted. The disaster led to sweeping changes in workplace safety and fire codes in New York and across the country and strengthened the garment workers' union. The building still stands on the New York University campus.

Date: 1911
Place: New York, USA, New York, US
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Closed
Coordinates: 40.7302, -73.9955 ↗

Timeline of Events

25 March 1911Fire broke out on the eighth floor; 146 people died in about 18 minutes.
December 1911The factory owners were tried and acquitted.

1911–1913New York set up a Factory Investigating Commission and dozens of new laws followed.
TodayThe building is a National Historic Landmark and a memorial honours the victims.

Sources

Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.