While there have been a great many tragedies in United States history, a study of those events can offer us valuable lessons. This universal truth applies to the occurrences of disastrous fires in our country. There have been several fires over the course of our history that can be classified as devastating events. However, as a society, we have learned a great many lessons in fire protection and prevention from those awful circumstances. One fire we have learned a great deal from is a fire that occurred right in New York City almost 150 years ago: the Brooklyn Theater fire of 1876.
This horrific scenario occurred on a cold winter's night on December 5, 1876. Located in the heart of the borough of Brooklyn, the corner of Washington and Johnston streets, the theater had a packed house - over 1,000 attendees filling the building. During a particular moment of the performance, a gas light happened to come in contact with a section of the set. Once the set caught fire, the blaze speedily progressed to additional pieces of scenery. Before long, the playhouse was filled with smoke as the fire took hold and quickly gained in strength.
One critical error that occurred that night was the evacuation procedures. While well-intended, the stagehands put their effort into trying to extinguish the flames instead of helping the patrons safely exit. As a result of this significant mistake, the audience was essentially trapped in a burning building. Adding to this error, the lack of fire escapes only heightened the tragedy. There was just one path to an exit - a narrow, tight staircase. As the crowds jammed themselves in this tiny corridor, they created a bottleneck, causing individuals to be crushed during the panicked escape attempts and trapped inside.
When the smoke cleared, there were 278 casualties from this awful fire.
As horrible as this event was, we have been able to extract some important fire safety principles that are in practice today. Flameproofing is now a requirement in all buildings where the public gathers, including theaters. Sets, scenery, curtains, and decorative items are required to have flameproofing treatments. In the case of the Brooklyn Theater, this would have slowed the burning of the set and scenery and prevented the spread of fire.
Also in practice today, the use of various and adequate fire exits is a requirement. In the Brooklyn Theater back then, the exits just were not able to handle an evacuation that needed to happen in an urgent manner. We have also learned about the importance of safety priorities in the event of a fire: evacuation comes before extinguishment. Additionally, we have also discovered the need for automatic fire sprinklers to be in place. Taken together, each of these steps could have made a difference in the final outcome of this tragedy.
Fortunately, these safety practices are implemented today, and we rarely hear about tragic fires of this magnitude because of rigorous fire safety standards and close supervision. All public gathering places have strict requirements, flameproofing being one of them.
At Bronx Flameproofing, it is our business to do our part that a tragedy like the Brooklyn Theater fire never occurs in our city again. As one of the most populated and visited cities on the planet, there is much at stake, and it is vitally important to prevent fires in New York City. If your business is in need or flameproofing or if you have questions relating to fire safety and prevention, we would be happy to talk with you and address your concerns. Call us today to also receive a free, no-obligation estimate for your fireproofing needs: 1-800-594-0117.