The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) fire occurred in St. Louis, Missouri, where a blaze broke out on the sixth floor of the facility responsible for housing military and personnel records. The origin was traced back to a combination of accidental ignitions involving stored materials. Despite the efforts of the St. Louis Fire Department, the fire rapidly consumed the sixth floor, ultimately leading to the destruction of approximately 16 million records, including military service records for personnel who served between 1912 and 1960. Given the significance of these records for veterans and their families, the fire presented a considerable loss of essential historical data.

In the aftermath, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) faced immense challenges related to record recovery and preservation. Efforts to manage the consequences included providing alternative methods to access records and offering support to veterans seeking replacements for destroyed documentation. Additionally, other sections of the NPRC that were not affected by the fire were called upon to help alleviate the burden of record retrieval for those impacted. The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities in archival practices and led to significant reforms in fire safety protocols for archival institutions across the country.

The National Personnel Records Center fire served as a poignant reminder of the fragility of historical records and the importance of proactive measures in safeguarding invaluable documents. In the years that followed, it prompted not only governmental changes but also increased public awareness regarding record preservation. Discussions around digitization and modern archiving practices emerged in response, aiming to create a more sustainable approach to record-keeping.