Smyrna Fire (1922)

The Smyrna Fire of 1922 was a devastating blaze that destroyed much of the ancient Greek city of Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey). Occurring during a period of political upheaval following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the Greek retreat from Asia Minor, the fire consumed large portions of the city’s mostly Greek and Armenian quarters. Its causes remain debated—some suggest accidental causes, while others believe it was deliberately set amid chaos. The disaster forced thousands of Greek and Armenian residents to flee or lose their homes, marking a significant event in the broader population exchanges and nationalist movements of the time.