Iroquois Theatre Fire - Case Study Example

Iroquois theatre fire, Chicago, IL, December 30, 1903 Introduction This refers to the most deadly event involving a theatre fireto have ever occurred in the history of the US. In fact, the Iroquois theatre fire, Chicago, IL, December 30, 1903 has remained among the most popular tragic events to have occurred in the history of the US for two main reasons. First, it is the only fire incident of its kind to have occurred in a theatre in the US. Secondly, Iroquois theatre fire, Chicago, IL, December 30, 1903 is the deadliest single burning fire that has occurred both in the US and elsewhere in the world (Brandt, 4). The impacts of this fire are innumerable. It is one of the tragic incidents which have occurred, where it is not possible to accurately tell the number of the casualties, more than a hundred years later. Although it is in record that 605 people perished during this incident, the number is not accurate, since it depended on the number of bodies that were reported, collectable and mere estimation. However, it is feared that more people may have died during this incident, because the fire could have burnt down other people to ashes (Brandt, 5). The number given is only dependent on the deaths that were reported, while there were many other bodies that were removed from the scene, which were never reported. Therefore, the magnitude of this incident raised alarm over the need to step up the safety measures against fire, for both theatres and other public buildings. Popularity of the Iroquois theatre There are various reasons as to why the theatre was a popular holiday venue, mostly flocked to capacity in the event of any performance. The location of the theatre was strategic, meant to attract mostly women who were on day trips out of town (Brandt, 12). Secondly, the theatre was constructed in a safe zone, near a shopping district that was patrolled by police at all times. This made the theatre attractive to the people, since they were assured of their safety. Although the theater turned out to be a popular holiday destination in Chicago, it opened later than was scheduled; following some labor unrests and the failure to have its architect complete the drawing in good time (Campbell, 193). Nevertheless, its architectural standard was high, compared to any other theatre in the US at the time, which immediately made it attract large crowds during performances. In its architectural design, the theatre comprised of three different levels where the audiences could watch from, which were separated by broad stairways. The two upper audience levels, the dress circle and the gallery were separated from the main floor referred to as the orchestra. The second audience level was called the dress circle and the third level was referred to as the gallery (Brandt, 9). The uniqueness of this facility was added to, by the presence of an expansive back stage, performance ground and an elevator, which was used to bring the actors to the performance stage. All these features combined with the aesthetic outer architectural design made the Iroquois theatre a popular holiday venue. Signs of fire protection deficiency The signs that a tragic fire incident in this theatre would occur were imminent. This is because, even though the theatre was advertised as having observed all the fire protection measures and thus it was quoted as Fireproof, there were some notable deficiencies that were apparent (Brandt, 20). According to the reports given earlier by a fire magazine editor during the early stages of the construction of this theatre, there were several indicators of fire safety standards deficiency, which included lack of sufficient exits from the theatre and the presence of wood trim on everything within the theatre (Campbell, 200). These were sure signs that in case of a fire outbreak, it would spread very first considering the presence of wooden material in all parts of the theatre. Additionally, lack of sufficient exits was a sure indicator that in case such a fire erupted; many people would perish, since they could not be able to run out of the theatre fast enough. The second report of the insufficient fire protection standards in the theatre was made by a fire department official who toured the building just before it was opened. The official observed that among other deficiencies, that the theatre did not have fire extinguishers as recommended for all public buildings (Brandt, 33). Addition ally, the fire department official observed that the theatre was not equipped with fire sprinklers and there were no water connections necessary for availing water for putting off fire, in case of afire incidence. More to this is the fact that the theatre did not have emergency alarms or telephones. It was only equipped with firefighting canisters that were meant for fighting domestic chimney fire (Brandt, 36). Thus, the danger of such a tragic incident happening in this theatre was looming. Failure to take action The deficiencies did not go unnoticed, since the fire department official raised the concern over the state of fire unpreparedness with the fire warden in the theatre, who observed that nothing could be done, since the owner of the theatre could not agree to take the necessary measures to address the issues raised. Additionally, when the fire department official raised the same concern with his seniors, the same was dismissed, with the grounds that nothing could be done at that point, since the theatre already had a fire warden (Brandt, 51). In addition to the deficiencies in the fire protection standards, there were some structural deficiencies that were identifiable in the theatre, which posed more danger to the people, in case of a fire outbreak. In the event of performances, the stairways were always blocked with large iron gates to prevent people from moving out of the gallery into the dress circle, which was an a different audience level. Additionally, the exit routes were constructed in a confusing manner, making people confused on which doors were exit routes and where they led to (Brandt, 19). The skylights, though meant to open up automatically in case of a fire breakout to expel heat and smoke, were fastened and closed on the roof stage, making them dysfunctional (Brandt, 10). Occurrence of the tragedy Iroquois theatre fire, Chicago, IL, December 30, 1903 occurred on the eve of Christmas holiday, when many people were at home and on a holiday mood. Despite the fact that the attendance in this theatre since its opening was not good, characterized by bad weather conditions and labor unrests, the situation was different for December thirty 1903 event (Campbell, 199). There were many people who bought the attendance ticket, and therefore the theatre was filled to capacity, with all the seats taken and the standing positions for the patrons fully occupied (Brandt, 42). The performance of the day was a recap of the opening performance of a drama by Eddie Foy and Dan McAvoy, performing the popular Bluebeard folk tale (Brandt, 4). Following the fact that the event was marking the end of December, welcoming another new year, the event was over attended, with the attendance exceeding the venue capacity of 2000 patrons. Most the attendees were children, since the performance occurred during the Christmas holidays when children were out of school (Brandt, 5). Therefore, they attended the popular venue, which was staging a popular performance in great numbers, to the extent of occupying any available space, including sitting on and blocking the exits. After the first performance, a dance number was played, in preparation for the second performance. However, at this moment, an arc light sparked and lit a muslin curtain. In an attempt to put off the fire using the available Kilfyre canisters, the fire spread way above and caught the surface of thousands of fly gallery canvas scenery flats that were hung above the fly gallery (Brandt, 27). Considering that canvas flats were highly flammable, the fire quickly spread quickly and the attempt to lower the fire curtain failed when it snagged. This was the last of the options that could be applied to put off the fire, following the deficiencies in water connection, water sprinklers and other forms of fire extinguishers in the theatre. The tragedy was worsened by the fact that most of the patrons in attendance were women and children. Therefore, on the event of the fire outbreak, confusion reigned in the theatre with some patrons trying to escape the theatre by tracing the exit routes. However, the situation proved bad, when the exit routes were not easy to trace, since they were shielded behind draperies (Brandt, 63). The attempt to open the few exits that could be traced also proved futile, since they were locked, and the women and children in attendance were unable to open the locks. The scenario only allowed three doors to be opened by the brutal force that was applied by the pushing patrons. Therefore, the exits were not sufficient to exit all the attendees, who either tried to move out through the windows or push out through the few opened exits (). This caused panic, crushing and stampede amongst the patrons as they sought for ways out to save their lives. The result was the death of many of the patrons, since only few could safely exit through the exit routes (Brandt, 108). The structural deficiency in the design of the theater was the major cause of the death of patrons. The gallery and the dressing circle, both of which were audience levels above the main floor where patrons stood to watch the performance, were accessed through stairways. However, to block the patrons who were in the top levels from going back to the lower audience level referred to as the orchestra, the stairways were blocked by large iron gates (Brandt, 75). The gates prevented the patrons from exiting the two audience levels by trapping them in. Therefore, in an attempt to open the gates and find a way out, most patrons struggled at the base of the stairways to open the gates, where most of them were crushed or trampled to death. Worse still, for the lucky patrons who were able to exit the theatre through the exit routes, they ended up facing more tragedy, after finding that the exit routes were not completed (Brandt, 91). This caused the patrons to jump down the narrow fire exits, where they either died or got badly injured. The patrons tried any way out of the theater, with most using any available exit route they could find, including the sewer channels that allowed their passage. Thus, the tragedy ended up with the death of many attendants, resulting from the mere deficiency of fire protection measures in the Iroquois theatre, since many people could have safely escaped death, if only the exit routes and the iron gates did not block them (Campbell, 203). The large number of deaths occurred through crushing, stampede and falling from the unfinished fire escapes (Brandt, 88). However, a reasonable number of patrons died from being chocked by the smoke from the burning flames and the other gases that could be released from the fire fighting canisters after they exploded. A large number still burnt to death while still in their failed attempt to exit the theatre. Others still died through succumbing to injuries they had suffered during the tragic incident. However, most of those who died were the patrons in attendance, with the actors and the dance troops only losing five of their own. By the time the fire fighter managed to fight their way into the theatre, the damage had already been done and lives lost (Campbell, 192). Implications of the Iroquois theatre fire, Chicago, IL, December 30, 1903 The implication of this tragic incident was to have the fire protection measures, codes and standards reformed. The theatres were required to close down for renovations and fittings that would see them well equipped with fire fighting equipments (Brandt, 120). All public buildings were also required to adhere to the new fire fighting codes, through installing the necessary fire fighting equipments and preparing the exit routes in accordance with the new codes. The theaters were required to reconfigure their exit doors by making them easily accessible and easily flung open in the event of any incident (Brandt, 123). The Iroquois theatre was later reopened after renovation and called the Colonial Theater, which was later refurbished into the Oriental Theater (Campbell, 197). Works Cited Brandt, Nat. Chicago Death Trap: The Iroquois Theatre Fire of 1903. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2006. 4-143. Print. Campbell, Ballard C. Disasters, Accidents, and Crises in American History: A Reference Guide to the Nations Most Catastrophic Events. New York: Facts on File, 2008. 190-211. 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