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10 LARGEST U.S. FIRE LOSSES

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10 largest U.S. fire losses (in millions)

Year location estimated in 1995

loss dollars

1906 San Francisco earthquake/fire $350 $5,915

1871 Great Chicago Fire 168 2,129

1991 Oakland, Calif., fire 1,500 1,678

1872 Great Boston Fire 75 951

1989 Pasadena, Texas, chemical plant 750 923

1904 Baltimore fire 50 545

1992 Los Angeles riots 567 616

1993 Orange County, Calif., wildfire 528 557

1995 Massachusetts textile mills 500 500

1942 U.S.S. Lafayette 53 496

Note: Loss estimates from 1984 Fire Almanac for fires occurring before 1984. Adjustment for '95 dollars based on Consumer Price Index.

Source: National Fire Protection Assn.