The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, located in New York City, was a thriving garment production center before the devastating fire swept through its premises. The factory occupied the top three floors of a ten-story building and employed around 500 workers, most of whom were young immigrant women. On the afternoon of March 25, 1911, a fire broke out, likely due to improperly discarded fabric scraps igniting and flammable materials in the workspace. The situation escalated quickly as smoke and flames spread, trapping many workers inside.

As workers attempted to escape, they found that many of the exit doors were locked, a standard practice among factory owners to prevent theft and unauthorized breaks. The only stairwell available was choked with smoke and flames, leading to chaos. Some workers bravely attempted to use the fire escape, which unfortunately collapsed under the weight of panic-stricken individuals trying to flee. In a desperate act to escape the inferno, many jumped from windows, resulting in horrific injuries and fatalities.

The event lasted mere minutes, but it claimed 146 lives, making it one of the deadliest industrial disasters in American history. Eyewitness accounts of the horror and desperation galvanized public opinion and led to increased scrutiny of labor conditions. The outcry from the tragedy spurred labor activists, including Frances Perkins, to advocate for worker safety, ultimately resulting in significant reforms in labor laws and safety regulations in factories across the United States.