To foster community involvement, the South Davis Metro Fire Agency will host four open houses at various fire stations during National Fire Prevention Week. The open houses will be held from 6-9 p.m. at each site. The first will be Oct. 8 at station 85, 836 W. 1100 North, for the communities of West Bountiful and Woods Cross.

The second will be Oct. 9 at station 82, 60 E. Center, North Salt Lake, for North Salt Lake residents.

Centerville residents may attend an open house at station 83, 125 S. Main, Centerville, on Oct. 10.

And on Oct. 11, Bountiful residents are invited to the main fire station 81, 255 S. 100 West, Bountiful.

Each station will have tours and explanations of the services they provide. There will be fire safety activities, balloons, fire hats and a fire safety drawing, as well as demonstrations of smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and a high-angle rescue demonstration.

'I an excited to have all the communities come to their fire station and hear this important message," said SDMFA Chief Jim Rampton.

National Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred Oct. 9, 1871.

The fire destroyed more than 17,000 structures, killed some 300 people and left 100,000 homeless.

The origin of the fire has long been a point of speculation. The most popular legend says that Mrs. O'Leary was milking her cow, when the cow kicked over a lamp. setting the barn on fire.

However the fire began, it took its toll burning more than 200 acres in 27 hours.

The city rebuilt and within a couple of years, residents began celebrating the successful restoration. Forty years after the fire, organizations like the National Fire Protection Association promoted the idea of the fire being commemorated in a way that would inform the public about fire prevention.



mwilliams@davisclipper.com