© Getty Images

Hemet, California -

Two people were left dead and one injured as a rapidly growing wildfire swept through Hemet, California on the evening of September 5. In just over two hours the Fairview fire increased from 700 acres to 2,000, with only 5% containment, and seven structures were reportedly destroyed with several more damaged, though officials estimated that 5,000 structures were threatened by the fire, CBS reports. An evacuation order was put in effect for around 1,500 homes.

© Getty Images

Santa Barbara dive-boat fire -

The dive boat Conception, which had departed Santa Barbara Harbor, caught fire early September 2, 2020, near Santa Cruz Island, leaving 34 trapped on board, all of whom likely died from smoke inhalation.

© Getty Images

Santa Barbara dive-boat fire - While five crew members managed to escape the fire, one of their colleagues and the diving trip passengers who slept below deck did not.

© Getty Images

The Great Fire of Rome - The Great Fire of Rome is the stuff of legend. It occurred in 64 BCE, and lasted six days.

© Public Domain

The Great Fire of Rome - Two thirds of Rome was destroyed by the fire. Some think that Emperor Nero had a hand in the fire, while he blamed Christians for the disaster.

© Public Domain

The Great Fire of Meireki - Also known as the Furisode Fire, this historical disaster took out 60-70% of Edo, the capital of Japan at the time (1657). The fire raged on for three days, and historians estimate that over 100,000 people perished in the fire.

© Public Domain

The Great Fire of London - London has had a few infernos over the years. The most famous, of course, is The Great Fire of London in 1666.

© Public Domain

The Great Fire of London - The fire lasted four days, and gutted the medieval City of London. It's estimated 70,000 to 80,000 homes were destroyed, yet only a few deaths have been officially recorded.

© Public Domain

The Peshtigo fire -

Back in 1871, northeastern America was ripped apart by the Peshtigo fire. The forest fire ravaged over a million acres of land.

© Getty Images

The Peshtigo fire - It's said between 1,500 and 2,500 people died in the blaze. It was caused by small fires which spread thanks to wind and dry conditions.

© Public Domain

The Great Chicago Fire -

A ferocious piece of American history, this fire burned central Chicago to the ground in 1871. More than 100,000 were left homeless, with approximately 300 fatalities.

© Public Domain

The Great Chicago Fire - The fire started in a southwest city center, and spread thanks to hot and dry city conditions.

© Public Domain

1906 San Francisco fires - In 1906, San Francisco was shaken by an extreme earthquake which shocked the West Coast. It led to a number of fires, which burned over 25,000 buildings.

© Public Domain

1906 San Francisco fires - Around 3,000 people died in the devastating fire, which was helped upon as the city's water mains were destroyed in the earthquake.

© Public Domain

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire - In 1911, a 10-floor garment factory in New York City was engulfed in flames. The workers, mostly immigrant women (and children), suffered in the tragic event.

© Public Domain

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire - At least 123 women and 23 men were killed in the blaze. Tragically, some stairwell doors and exits were locked to prevent workers taking breaks.

© Public Domain

Halifax Explosion -

Many have forgotten the Halifax Explosion of 1917, maybe because it occurred during World War One. The explosion occurred in Halifax in Canada.

© Getty Images

Halifax Explosion - It occured when ammunition on board a cargo ship came into contact with fire. Over 2,000 people perished in the largest man-made explosion at the time.

© Public Domain

1923 Great Kantō fires - In 1923, Tokyo was struck with a powerful earthquake. It hit at lunchtime, while people were preparing their food over fires. It's said this caused fires to break out, causing more damage.

© Public Domain

1923 Great Kantō fires - A fire tornado ravaged through downtown Tokyo, and water mains were destroyed, meaning the fire blazed on for two days. Casualties are estimated to be between 100,000 and 142,000.

© Public Domain

The Cocoanut Grove Fire - The Cocoanut Grove was a revered nightclub in Boston. However, in 1942, it was destroyed in the deadliest nightclub fire in American history.

© Public Domain

The Cocoanut Grove Fire - It started when someone lit a match, which ignited paper decorations around the nightclub. Nearly 500 people were killed in the fire.

© Getty Images

Texas City disaster - The Texas City disaster started with a small fire onboard a docked freighter. The fire led to an explosion, which destroyed over 1,000 buildings.

© Public Domain

Texas City disaster - A total of 600 people died in the disaster, which occurred in Port of Texas City in 1947. It was the deadliest industrial accident in American history.

© Getty Images

Grenfell Tower fire - In June 2017, tragedy struck the city of London. The Grenfell Tower flats suffered a fire, which burned for 60 hours.

© Getty Images

Grenfell Tower fire - It's said that over 70 people died in the fire, yet this is disputed. Residents of the tower had sent out numerous complaints about the building being a fire hazard.

© Getty Images

California wildfires - The 2018 wildfire season was the most destructive in the history of California, with over 8,000 fires burning through the Golden State.

© Getty Images

California wildfires - At least 81 people died in the fires, with many more displaced.

© Getty Images

Dhaka fire of 2019 -

In February 2019, a fire ravaged Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It started in a road accident, which exploded and led to a chemical fire. At least 80 people died in the fire, while over 50 people were left injured.

See also: The worst natural disasters of this millennium

© Reuters