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San Francisco Earthquake and Fire 1906
U.S.G.S Estimated Intensity Map
 The Earthquake and resulting fires caused an estimated 3,000 deaths and
$524Mn (1906 $s) in property loss. (Almost 1% of San Francisco's
population)
225,000 left homeless by fires (Over ½ the population)
The fires burned for three days covering 4.7 square miles
28,000 buildings destroyed, 80%-95% of the damage was due to the fire,
rather than the shaking.
Many buildings were not insured for quake, but, nobly, the industry paid all
losses as if fire.
This photograph, taken from a tethered balloon five weeks after the great earthquake of April 18, 1906, shows the devastation
brought on the city of San Francisco by the quake and subsequent fire. The view is looking over Nob Hill toward business district,
South of the Slot, and the distant Mission. The Fairmont Hotel, far left. dwarfs the Call Building.
(photo courtesy of Harry Myers).
What Made The Fires So Bad?
In 1906, Fire carts were pulled by horses. Many horses
could not pull theses carts up the hills, so it was often
done by men.
One major pipeline that carried water from San Andreas
Lake to San Francisco was broken, shutting off the water
supply to the city. The fires that ignited soon after the
onset of the earthquake quickly raged through the city
because of the lack of water to control them.
Broken water mains on Valecia between 18th and 19th street
The Great Fire as seen from a ferry boat in the Bay
Crowds gather at Market and Laguna streets to flee the
Great Fire. Building at lower
center right still survives as
do along Laguna. Almost all others pictured here burned.
View from Laguna and Market streets of the Great Fire
burning through the Mission
District.
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