Fires in the mills were a constant threat. The mills with their granite facades appeared fire-resistant. The interior however was a fire waiting to happen. The elements required for fire, the fire triangle of fuel, match (ignition source) and temperature were always present. The wooden floors impregnated with machinery oil and fine cotton lint floating everywhere, accumulating in hard to reach ceilings and inside the machinery were the fuel. The gas lamps with their open flames supplied potential matches. The hot machinery and the hot rooms used in processing cotton provided the temperature.
Mill owners took measures to minimize the fire hazards. Cotton bales were stored in separate buildings. Stand pipes for providing streams of water were set up in mill yards. Fire companies were stationed in the mills and telegraphic fire alarms were tied into community fire companies. The mill owners association established mutual insurance companies to reduce the burden of fire losses on individual mill owners.
Mill owners did not provide for one thing: the workers. Typically in the early days (see Granite Mills fires, below) a mill had one narrow, spiraling staircase surmounted by a bell tower. The single staircase insured that worker movements in and out of the mill could be regulated. It also insured that workers would be greatly impeded in leaving the mill in the event of a fire. There was no worker insurance. If a worker were injured, the worker was on her/his own. If a family could offer assistance that was good. If there were no family or friend, too bad.

Arthur S. Phillips, "The Philips' History of Fall River,"
Volume II Chapter 16, Privately Printed, Fall River, Mass. 1945 Excerpts

October 26, 1821 - The original building of the Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufactory, operating 1800 spindles, was burned to the ground. The blaze was occasioned by friction in the picker rooms.
December 5, 1867 - An explosion of one of the boilers of the main building of the Globe (Bay State) Print Works on Globe Street started a fire which entirely consumed the structure. No lives were lost, although there were some narrow escapes, and several people were severely injured.
December 15, 1867 - During a heavy snow storm, fire was discovered in the new granite structure of the American Print Works. The fire originated in the engine room. In less than four hours the ruin was complete with a loss of nearly $1,000,000, together with the destruction of the Bay State Print Works. The corporation was so badly handicapped for several years that reorganization was necessary.
May 14, 1868 - The Fall River (White) Mill, built in 1827 was destroyed by flames, which broke out in the picker room about 3:30 in the morning.
September 19, 1874 - The holocaust known as the Granite Mill fire occurred in the early morning of Saturday. It is the most appalling disaster in the history of our cotton manufacture. The barn shaped roof was the sixth story of the mill; the only exit was the staircase in the tower of the mill. When the fire occurred it quickly cut off access to the tower and operatives in the sixth floor were obligated to jump from the windows to save their lives. In attempting this method of escape thirty operatives were killed and many more suffered serious and life long injuries. The fire is supposed to have been caused by a friction spark which kindled some cotton; the fire department ladders were not long enough to reach the sixth floor and fire nets were not available.
November 2, 1875 - Fire wiped out the Massasoit Cotton Mill. This plant was colloguially termed "The Doctor's Mill", being owned and operated by Nathan Durfee.
June 29, 1876 - Mill #2 of the American Linen Company, built of granite, with a pitched roof, suffered fire damage in the two upper stories. Loss, $183,000. In rebuilding, the company adopted the flat roof.
November 2, 1877 - Early in the morning an explosion, thought to have been due to leakage of gas during the night, took place in the Border City Mill, #1. The mill was speedily reduced to ruins.
November 29, 1878 - Chace Thread Mill was damaged by fire to the extent of $50,000.
October 28, 1882 - On Saturday afternoon, fire destroyed the Flint Mill excepting the engine and boiler house.
April 24, 1884 - At 6 P.M. fire started amongst cotton in the basement of Sagamore Mill No. 1, a brick structure, which was destroyed within a few hours.
January 23, 1889 - Anawan Mill.
December 30, 1889 - Richard Borden Mill.
May 4, 1892 - Picker room fire in the Durfee Mill.
January 1, 1895 - Sagamore Mill fire.
July, 1843 and February 2,1928 - Pocasset mill Mill rebuilt in 1843; mill not rebuilt in 1928. This difference reflects the shift in the Fall River economy between the two dates.
January 29, 1934 - The hugh Merchant Mill was wiped out by fire. Mill unoccupied for two previous years. Cause of fire is unknown.
February 6, 1940 - Fire destroyed the old Weetamoe Mill owned by the city.
March 25, 1940 - The former Osborn Mill No.1.
June 8, 1940 - The old Estes Mill on Sucker Brook was completely destroyed.