iroquois theater fire newspaper
The Iroquois Theatre disaster remains the worst theatre fire in U.S. history. The Kankakee Republican, in its edition of Jan. 2, 1904, related the experience of local residents Mr. and Mrs. Harry Christman, who were seated in the front row of the second balcony when the fire broke out. Concerned about pervasive safety violations, Mayor Carter Harrison ordered a review of all theaters just months earlier, but lack of enthusiasm from city officials meant the investigations had petered out. It was powerful enough to blow at least one exit door open, aiding those frantically trying to work the unfamiliar locks. Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content.
The investigation showed that the fire was sparked by an arc light which ignited scenery curtains. The myriad problems that day turned into an algebra of blame—so many had failed to carry out their duties that no one source could be concretely assigned sole responsibility.
We value An April 1904 edition of Western Electrician highlighted the adoption of “exit lights [which] are also supplemented by sperm-oil lamps” in the event that “the current supply is interrupted.” Although technology has evolved, signs like these were the forerunners to the glowing red exit signs ubiquitous in modern theaters. Welcome! As word of the staggering death toll spread, the city would be overcome by a state of collective mourning. Many of the Iroquois fire victims were buried in Montrose, Calvary, Saint Boniface, Mount Greenwood, Mount Hope, Mount Olivet, Oak Woods, Rosehill, Graceland, Forest Home, and Waldheim Jewish Cemetery. [23] On the way to the scene, at approximately 3:33 pm, a member of Engine 13 activated an alarm box to call additional units. In a video available on CSPAN.org, Nat Brandt leads a discussion at the Chicago Public Library about his book, Chicago Death Trap: Book Discussion on Chicago Death Trap: The Iroquois Theatre Fire of 1903. There were several ornamental "doors" that looked like exits, but were not. Building and fire codes were subsequently reformed; theaters were closed for retrofitting all around the country and in some cities in Europe.
Advertising Notice Photographed from the stage a few days after the fire, this panoramic view shows the charred interior of the Iroquois Theater.
[40], Five years after the fire, Andrew Kircher, founder of Montrose Cemetery, erected a memorial on the grounds to memorialize the tragedy. Worst theatre fire in history claimed local victims, DQ scholarship fundraiser set in honor of Erica Paulissen, Cause of death of Iroquois County inmate released, Halloween is full go in local communities, Gathering strength for the fight against cancer. The Iroquois Theater Fire occurred in Chicago on December 30, 1903.
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