The workers, mostly immigrant women of jewish and italian heritage, began to flee for safety from the knife. Intense floors but obstructed pathways and locked doors led to desperation. The fire department arrived within minutes of being alerted, but their ladders were not tall enough to perform rescues. As onlookers and bystanders watch from the streets, many victims leap to their deaths and attempt to escape the flames, while many others succumb to smoke. This fire reclaimed over 146 lives