February 7th 1904 began as a chilly day in Baltimore.   The sky was overcast and there was a brisk wind.   Before noon of that day downtown Baltimore was ablaze with fierce fire.   The glare could be seen from 50 miles away and the temperature reached 2500 degrees.

At 10:48am with few pedestrians downtown other than churchgoers, a fire alarm went off in the 6-story building housing the dry goods firm of John. C. Hurst and Company.   George W. Horton, the chief engineer of the fire department arrived from home approximately 15 minutes later; within half an hour the fire had spread with such a speed and intensity that Chief Horton declared it out of control.   Because of constantly shifting winds the course of the blaze was unpredictable and unmanageable.   By noon, city officials knew the city was already facing a catastrophe.   Assistance was requested and sent from Washington, New York and Pennsylvania.   The National Guard was summoned; soldiers and sailors were pressed into service.    Thousands of Baltimoreans helped each other with bucket brigades, property protection, emergency shelter, medical assistance, and food.