On October 17, 1886, Salisbury was decimated by the most powerful fire in city history. Starting in a livery stable where Market Street and Camden Street currently intersect, the blaze spread quickly. Aided by the wind and dry weather, the fire soon consumed all of downtown Salisbury. Fire engines were shipped in by train from Crisfield, Pocomoke City and Wilmington, and after seventeen hours, the flames were finally extinguished. All told, two hundred buildings were destroyed, and a massive twenty-two acres of the center of Salisbury were burned. The most remarkable aspect of the fire, however, was that not a single person died.This landmark in Salisbury history is commemorated by the annual FireFest. FireFest is dedicated to educating the public about the Great Fire of 1886, the history of Old Salisbury, and fire safety.