The Iroquois Theater Five

 

The Iroquois Theater Fire

The Titanic was said to be unsinkable, and the Iroquois Theater at 24-28 West Randolph Street in downtown Chicago was widely advertised as absolutely fireproof. Neither claim proved to be true.

At a Wednesday matinee performance of Blue Beard nineteen hundred people filled the seats in the one million-dollar stage house. It was the new year December 30th, 1903. Sometime during the performance, a spark ignited the theater curtain. Someone yelled, “Lower the fire curtain! ”  and down it came, but not all the way down because of a mechanical problem. Some doors opened inward and not out, others were locked. New fire escapes had not yet been installed and the  theater had little fire extinguishing equipment on hand.

Fire marshals were later accused of having taken bribes to overlook code violations.

A few performers were able to escape using a  backstage door, but when they opened it, there was an explosion. It was a backdraft – the fire quickly consuming all available oxygen was suddenly refreshed when outside poured in creating a huge fireball.

 

The Iroquois had no  fire alarms or telephones. A stagehand ran down to the nearest firehouse to report the blaze. Fireman who responded  used horse-drawn fire equipment. Motorized fire engines were just beginning to emerge, and most fire departments, including Chicago's, still relied heavily on horses to pull their fire wagons, steam pumpers, and ladder carts.

Initial efforts focused on the people trapped on the fire escapes. The alley to the north of the theater, known as Couch Place, however, was icy, narrow and full of smoke so aerial ladders could not be used. At the time, firemen commonly used safety nets to catch people jumping from burning buildings. These nets, large, circular pieces of heavy-duty canvas held taut by multiple firemen were  a last resort, to be used in emergencies when other escape methods were available. Although life nets were part of standard fire equipment in 1903, they could not be used. The fire spread quickly, leaving little time for firemen to set up. Tall windows offered limited access.

When a police officer saw people running from the building, some with their  clothing on fire, he ran too  -  to a police call box and summoned help. Many of initial responders were matrons – female police officers called to assist because of so many of the  casualties were women. Other officers controlled traffic and helped in the evacuation. In all six hundred patrons lost their lives, many of them children. It was the worst single building fire in U.S. history. 

The tragedy of the Iroquois Theater fire in 1903 reminds us of the importance of safety, accountability, and valuing every life from conception to natural death.

 

Meme:

Tragedy during the holidays is particularly hard on us because the Christmas season is associated with joy, togetherness, and celebration. When there is some kind of loss,  it contrasts with these expectations, making personal pain feel more pronounced, as we are reminded of what we have lost or cannot share. Sometimes it helps to  reflect on small sources of gratitude to balance feelings of sadness and celebrate the positive memories or relationships that brought meaning into our lives.   Happy New Year