The Great Atlanta Fire of 1917 was a significant blaze that erupted in the city, ultimately devastating a large portion of the urban landscape. On the afternoon of May 21, flames ignited in a wooden structure in the vicinity of the commercial district, rapidly spreading through the tinder-like wooden homes and buildings that characterized many neighborhoods at the time. Firefighters arrived quickly, but the combination of strong winds and dry conditions hampered their efforts, allowing the fire to escalate uncontrollably. Over the course of several hours, it consumed approximately 300 acres, demolishing around 2,000 structures, including residential homes, businesses, and several churches.The aftermath of the blaze was profound; it left around 10,000 residents homeless, many of whom sought shelter with family or in temporary facilities established by the Red Cross and local organizations. Notably, the city was fortunate to record just one fatality, attributed to a heart attack during the crisis. The sheer scale of destruction was alarming, with total damages estimated at an astonishing $5.5 million, a considerable sum for that era, indicating not just physical but also economic implications for the region. In the wake of the fire, community leaders and city planners recognized the urgent need for improved building codes and emergency response measures to prevent such disasters in the future.