As we've been studying fires from our nation's past and learning some lessons, today we will conclude by looking at one final fire, perhaps one of the most deadly and tragic fires in all of American history. It is a difficult experience to look back and see the devastation and loss of life that occurred, but in order to do better in the future, it's a critical exercise to participate in. The fire we are looking at today took place in the famous city of Chicago, right around the turn of the century in 1903.
The Iroquois Theater fire on December 30th, 1903 is a painful one to envision. It was the perfect storm of events that created this awful tragedy. During a performance, right as attendees were soon planning to welcome in the new year, this fateful event occurred. As the show was going on, a part of the muslin stage curtain was ignited by a nearby lamp that shorted. Due to the material, it didn't take long for the flames to spread over to the raised platform located on the side of the stage. At this location, rope, equipment, and thousands of square feet of scenery were stored. This provided more than ample ammunition to fuel this tragic fire. It wasn't before too long that the entire stage was set ablaze, and the audience was able to see smoke and flames pouring out from the half-lowered curtains.
Once the attendees very quickly put the pieces together and saw the peril they were in, chaos ensued.
As expected, the people in the audience bolted for the nearest exits. In the panic, they were crushing one another as they raced to find safety. Some headed to the main exits, only to find their path blocked by bars at the stairwells. Additionally, these paths were also blocked by theater-goers who were sitting in the aisles during the show. This is where the worst loss of life occurred, as hundreds of people were crushed and suffocated while attempting to exit.
There were others who tried to escape through alternate doors in the theater. However - those exits only appeared to be doors; they were really just windows decorated to look like doors, which only stranded individuals at dead-ends in the theater.
By the time the smoke cleared and there were just embers burning, 605 individuals perished in the Iroquois Theater.
It is hard to imagine such an enormous loss of life that began with such a minor catalyst as a shorted lamp. Unfortunately, many fires start out as small tragic accidents. However, we have learned many lessons. Today, theater curtains, scenery, and all fabrics in public locations need to undergo flameproofing treatments. Had that been an available practice back then, the outcome would have been vastly different. Additionally, we are smarter now with requiring appropriate fire exits and mandating clear paths to those exits. We also require automatic sprinkler systems to be in place.
We recognize that many factors are at play when there is a tragic fire. The mandates in practice today have kept us safer. Specifically, having decorative materials and objects treated with fire retardants have helped slow the spread of fire and even have stopped it at its source.
It is critically important that the business sites have their locations treated with flame repellents so tragedies like the one at the Iroquois Theater never occur again. Bronx Flameproofing is determined that a fire such as the one in Chicago never happens in our city. We have used our flameproofing techniques and expertise to keep our city safe from fire for over 60 years. If you have flameproofing needs, we can help. Please call us today so we can answer questions and offer a free, no-obligation quote. We would love to hear from you: 1-800-594-0117.