Cocoanut Grove fire
The Cocoanut Grove fire, which took place in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, on November 28, 1942, was the second-deadliest single-building fire in U.S. history, claiming 492 lives. The Cocoanut Grove was one of Boston's most popular nightspots, attracting many celebrity visitors. It was owned by Barnet "Barney" Welansky, who was closely connected to the Mafia and to Mayor Maurice J. Tobin. Fire regulations had been flouted: some exit-doors had been locked to prevent unauthorized entry, and the elaborate palm tree décor contained flammable materials. The air-conditioning used flammable gas due to wartime shortage of freon. During the first Thanksgiving weekend since the U.S. had entered World War II the Grove was filled to more than twice its legal capacity. The fire was initiated by an electrical short and fueled by methyl chloride in the air conditioning unit. Flames and smoke spread rapidly through all areas of the club, and people were unable to escape due in part to locked exit doors. Blame was directed at Welansky for violation of standards; he served nearly four years in jail before being released just weeks before his death. Local hospitals were especially well prepared to treat the casualties having been rehearsing emergency drills in response to possible wartime attacks on the East Coast. The crisis demonstrated the value of the new blood banks and stimulated important advances in the treatment of burn victims. Following the tragedy, many new laws were enacted for public establishments, including the banning of flammable decorations, a provision that emergency exits must be kept unlocked (from the inside), and that revolving doors cannot be the sole egress.
Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Cocoanut Grove fire (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors).Cocoanut Grove fire
Piedmont Street, Boston
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Latitude | Longitude |
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N 42.35 ° | E -71.068333333333 ° |
Address
Piedmont Park Square
Piedmont Street 21
02116 Boston
Massachusetts, United States
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