One of the worst disasters in world and American history happened in here in Massachusetts. The Cocoanut Grove fire affected hundreds of people and left its mark on the city of Boston and the nation. Here’s why it ranks as one of the worst tragedies every to strike the Bay State.
The Cocoanut Grove Fire was the deadliest nightclub fire in history.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
The fire claimed a staggering 492 lives. The loss of life was so great that the fire briefly replaced the events of WWII in the nationwide news.
Wikimedia Commons/Targaryen
On November 28, 1942, the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston was filled past capacity with patrons who came for the singing, dancing and jazz. Around 10:15 p.m., a fire started in the dimly-lit downstairs Melody Lounge.
Wikimedia Commons/Targaryen
Officials believe that the blaze began when a young man, possibly a soldier, loosened a lightbulb from a coconut-shaped wall sconce in order to create privacy while he kissed his date.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
A busboy lit a match in order to see the sconce and tighten the bulb. Witnesses say that the flame from his match ignited palm frond decorations.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
The fire spread so quickly that some customers died where they sat from smoke inhalation with drinks still in their hands.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
Others crawled along the floor in search of exits that were either blocked to prevent people from entering without paying or hidden from public view behind decor.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
In their panic, patrons blocked the club’s revolving front door. It became so packed with bodies – alive and dead – that it finally jammed and was rendered unusable.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
Other unlocked doors swung inward instead of outwards. Chillingly, officials would later say that if the front door had only swung outwards rather than inwards, at least 300 people would have survived.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
Soldiers and sailors from nearby bars ran to the club to help in the firefighting effort, but by the time help arrived the devastation was almost complete.
Wikimedia Commons/Tomtheman5
The Cocoanut Grove Fire led to reformed safety standards for public spaces across the nation. It also caused a major international shift in how burn victims were treated and rehabilitated. For more information about other huge Massachusetts disasters, check out our list here.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
Wikimedia Commons/Targaryen
Wikimedia Commons/Tomtheman5
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