Quotidian Catastrophes in the Modern City: Fire Hazards and Risk in Mexico's Capital, 1860–1910

In the late-nineteenth century, urban centers throughout the world experienced devastating building fires that took lives, destroyed infrastructure, and demanded action from all city residents. Mexico City was no exception. During the period 1860-1910, Mexico City residents experienced a massive increase in urban fires. This came as a result of several factors: the urban population doubled during this period, factories opened in all corners of the city, and highly flammable fuels became common accessories in homes and businesses. While Mexico City never had a conflagration on the scale of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 or the Paris Opera Fire of 1887, the international commotion surrounding these tragedies instilled a sense of concern about fire risk in its citizenry. This paper analyzes how the increased presence and frequency of fires in and outside of Mexico altered urban life and development in the capital. It prompted the city government to restrict the use of certain fuels and fine citizens who disobeyed the laws and threatened the safety of others. Aside from regulations, growing fire risks inspired officials to invest in social services such as a firefighting brigade and the accompanying equipment and technologies to protect the city. Additionally, the need to address fire dangers spurred advancements in medical treatments for burn victims, architectural guidelines for buildings, and fire insurance to compensate people for unexpected disasters. An examination of how everyday residents, firemen, government officials, engineers, and physicians confronted the real and perceived risks of fire moves this project away from traditional political or social explanations of urban development, and instead focuses on how a hazard, in this case fire, had a role in shaping urban life. The quotidian nature of fires in growing cities meant that fire-induced destruction, experiences, and memories became imprinted onto the history of the city.