The Tragedy Of The Iroquois.
7/5/2006 9:58 PM
Some are facisinated by the strength of human spirit. I was interested in the largest single structure fire in the United States.

In the bravado of the early 1900’s The Iroquois showcased itself as “absolutely fireproof”. Like most claims of these types it was disproved at a horrific cost. On December 30th, 1903 a matinee showing of the musical “Mr. Blue Beard” over 1900 people packed the theater. Shortly after the performance had started a light started a curtain on fire. A series of mishaps then ensued…on site firefighting equipment failed, the protective asbestos curtain did not drop, fleeing actors opened a backstage door that fed the blaze with air from outside the theater. Exits were locked and doorways opened inward preventing escape. The inferno claimed the lives of 602 people and the dubious honor of the worst single building fire in US history.

More shocking than the fire was the corruption that was uncovered in the aftermath. Fire inspectors had been bribed to overlook violations, the asbestos curtain disappeared from the inspection leading to allegations that it was not asbestos. Following the fire the mayor closed all city theaters for a week and launched a full investigation. The public was outraged to find only one person convicted…A local barkeep who was charged with robbing the dead.