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With modern fire protection services, large fires are easier to prevent and put out than they ever have been. Unfortunately, in the past, fires were often difficult to stop. Here are some tragic examples from American history, including what they can teach us about safety. 

A Guide to Tragic Fires in American History

1. Cocoanut Grove Nightclub

The deaths of over 492 people in Boston’s Cocoanut Grove Nightclub in 1942 can largely be laid at the feet of the club’s management. They allowed too many people in—1,000 people were in attendance that night, and the club was only supposed to hold 460—and most of the doors and windows had been intentionally sealed off to keep passersby from enjoying the music. The main exit that remained open was a rotating door, so panic seized the crowd once the blaze began from a match that caused the paper decorations to catch on fire. Unfortunately, many people were trampled, burned, or suffocated by smoke. In today’s world, fire safety capacities are more rigidly enforced, and emergency exits must be unobstructed at all times.

2. Iroquois Theatre

fire protection systemsOn December 30, 1903, during a matinee performance of “Mr. Bluebeard” in the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago, an overheated stage light ignited the oil paint on one of the canvas backdrops, causing a fire that quickly spread and resulted in the deaths of over 600 people. The Iroquois had been constructed a few months prior and had been lauded as absolutely fireproof.  Despite this, several authorities noted beforehand that there weren’t enough emergency exits. Additionally, they didn’t have enough accessible firefighting equipment.

3. MGM Grand®

On November 21, 1980, an electrical fire spread through the MGM Grand® in Las Vegas, feeding on the PVC piping and wallpaper. The smoke and toxic vapors from those materials were pumped through the building’s air system, leading to 85 fatalities and around 650 injuries. Because the hotel lacked an automatic sprinkler system in the casino area, the blaze was able to spread, teaching a valuable lesson about the importance of fire protection services.

 

When you need fire protection services to keep your business venue or business safe, contact Accel Fire Systems. Located in Anchorage, AK, they have over 20 years of experience offering fire safety help. Learn more about their fire protection services and products by visiting them online, or call (907) 349-1490 to speak with a member of their team.

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