The Meridian Building Fire 20 Years Later

Deadly fire forever changed Philadelphia

It’s hard to believe but Wednesday is the 20th anniversary of the Center City high-rise fire that claimed the lives of three firefighters, changed how firefighters battle high-rise blazes and changed the Philly skyline forever.

Philadelphians remember seeing the thick smoke pour from One Meridian Plaza -- the 38-floor sky rise that was caddy corner to Philadelphia’s City Hall.

On Feb. 23, 1991 around 8:30 p.m. fire broke out when oil-soaked rags left by a contractor on the vacant 22nd floor caught fire. Throughout the night, thick smoke could be seen for miles around as firefighters battled the office building throughout the night.

What followed was a series of missteps that led to a U.S. Fire Administration report that called for drastic changes in fire monitoring, firefighting and building to prevent fires.

The government report found that water supply issues, heavy smoke and other factors hampered the firefighting efforts. It wasn’t until 3 p.m. on Feb. 24 that the fire was finally brought under control.

In the end, the fire claimed the lives of three firefighters, gutted eight stories of the building and caused $100 million in direct property loss, according to Fire Administration report.

As the Meridian sat boarded up and vacant for years, battles raged over what to do with the destroyed building as litigation resulted in an estimated $4 billion in civil damage claims.

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The building was finally torn down in 1999. Today the 48-story luxury condos, The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, stand where the Meridian once did.

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