Fire fighters arrived soon after the alarm was sounded but ladders only reached the 6th floor and pumps could not raise water to the highest floors of the 10-story building. Sprinkler systems, considered too costly by many factory owners, were not installed in the Asch building.  Still the fire was quickly controlled and was essentially extinguished in half an hour.  In this fire-proof building, 146 young men, women, and children lost their lives and many others were seriously injured. Photographer unknown. 5780 P box 39 ff15d.