The Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, came to an end on October 10, 1871, primarily due to a combination of factors including rain and the exhaustion of fuel.
By the evening of October 9, the fire had already consumed a significant portion of the city. However, on October 10, a steady rain began to fall, which helped to dampen the flames and reduce the intensity of the fire. This rain was crucial in slowing down the spread of the fire and eventually extinguishing it.
Additionally, the fire had burned through much of the available fuel in its path, including wooden buildings, trees, and other flammable materials. As the fire ran out of material to burn, its intensity diminished, making it easier for the rain to put out the remaining flames.
In the aftermath, the city of Chicago was left in ruins, with an estimated 300 people dead and over 100,000 residents left homeless. The fire led to significant changes in building codes and fire safety regulations, which helped to prevent such a disaster from happening again.