Iroquois Theater Fire
Iroquois Theater Fire
Iroquois Theater Fire
The Iroquois Theater opened in Chicago in 1903 and like many things built in that time period, was touted as being “fire proof.”
On December 30th, the play “Mr. Bluebeard” was being performed and at around 3:00PM a scene portraying moonlight was set. There were approximately 1900 people in the crowd, many standing in whatever space was not taken up by the seats.
A spark from a stage light ignited some scenery and the night would soon turn tragic.
As actors asked the crowd to stay calm, the orchestra kept playing as burning scenery fell from the set behind and above them. Panic soon swept through the crowd and the mad rush to escape began.
Since the theater was already filled beyond capacity, doors were jammed with fallen bodies and people were trampled trying to get out. In addition, some exits were not seen because there were no lit exits and some were locked with iron bars for security.
In the end, 630 people died in this fire. After the fire, it was noted that regulations and inspections were lax in the theater and other theaters were immediately closed until they passed inspection.
This fire definately has had an impact on fire codes and ordinances in relation to public assembly occupancies. However, this is not too disimilair from the Station Nightclub fire just a few short years ago.
Remember, inspections matter and you must be firm in making sure these facilities are up to code. Stay safe and learn our lessons from reading about the past, not re-living it.
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