'' '' '' '' '' Messrs. Barling and Demby , who were the first victims of the fires , lost their lives near Toolangi on Sunday , 8th January , Mr. West in the Rubicon blaze on Wednesday , 10th January , whilst Mr. McKinnon died in hospital from injuries received on Friday , 13th January , in the Loch Valley district near Noojee . '' '' This was the first occasion on which members of the Commission 's staff lost their lives as a direct result of forest fires . These men died in faithful discharge of their duty , and their unflinching heroism in the face of fearful odds must serve as an inspiration not only to their colleagues but also to every individual in the community ..... 1938-39 Annual Report . '' Putting aside large conflagrations of cities like the Great Fire of Meireki or the Great Fire of London , perhaps the world 's worst bushfire was at Peshtigo in Wisconsin in 1871 , which burnt nearly 1.2 million acres , destroyed twelve communities and killed between 1500-2500 people . Now largely forgotten , Peshtigo was overshadowed by the Great Fire of Chicago that occurred on the same day
Great Fire of Chicago
Great Chicago Fire
Forests Commission Victoria