On June 15, 1897 a fire was set off on Ellis Island which caused the whole place to be burned completely. Federal and State immigration records were lost due to this fire. The United States Treasury immediately ordered to rebuild the immigration station but with fire proof buildings. On December 17, 1900 the port was reopened. First and second class people did not have to get inspected on Ellis Island because they would do a cursory inspection on the ship. People believed that first and second class people would get into the United States easier because they had money so they would not become a charge for medical or legal reasons in the United States. The only reasons first or second class people were sent to Ellis Island inspections would be if they were sick or were in trouble legally. On the other hand, third class people would travel in horrible and unsanitary conditions sometimes spending weeks of being seasick. The third class people would have to get off the ship and immediately make lines for legal and medical inspection. If the immigrants had good health were were in no legal problems the inspection would take 3 to 5