Entertainment is big business in our country. People spend a lot of money going to concerts, seeing shows, attending sporting events. Many attractions are often temporary and are 'pop-up' events - festivals, fairs, carnivals, and circuses. Any time we are at a public gathering - for entertainment or any other reason - there's always the risk of things going wrong. Emergencies can happen at any time, and the devastation is often magnified when a crowd is involved. There was a tragedy that happened at a circus many years ago, but we can take a few lessons from that terrible event and aim to make things safer in the future.
It was a sunny day on July 6, 1944, when tragedy struck in Hartford, Connecticut. Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus was known as the 'greatest show on earth,' but for the 700 people in attendance that day, it was unforgettable but for all the wrong reasons.It was only 20 minutes into the show when a flash fire started that killed 163 people, 63 of them under 15 years old.
The circus arrived late, so the set-up was more rushed than usual. As it turns out, the permits were issued before the stands were even set up, with little thought given to how wide the exits were and whether or not the canvas had been flameproofed. The tent itself was 425 long and 180 feet wide, covering 1.5 acres. At the time the fire started, the wild animal acts had just been completed, but the runways used to bring the animals to the cages were blocking primary exits. It is also to be noted that the main exit aisle was inaccessible due to the fact that it was used by performers for much of the show.
As to the start of the fire, it began at the south end, about 20 feet from the tent. It was dusty and dry from the heat in that grassy area, and it is guessed that a tossed cigarette may have ignited the blaze. When the fire was first discovered, it was already 5-6 feet high. It didn't take long for it to travel to the main circus tent. The flames hit the top edge of the canvas, about 2 feet wide at initial contact. A southwesterly wind blew, and in an instant, the flames traveled to the underside of the canvas tent. Immediately, the tent was consumed with flames. The ropes burned almost immediately as well, causing the poles to fall on spectators and the tent to collapse.
Reports from the fire indicate that spectators didn't immediately leave. Many thought the fire might be a part of the act, and others thought it would be extinguished quickly and the show would go on. When people tried to evacuate, there was sheer panic trying to get to the accessible exits. Many who tried to climb the runway chutes found it impossible to hurdle, especially women in heels and children. Loose chairs in the exit paths were another factor. As spectators attempted to hurdle them, they stumbled over the loose chairs that were now strewn in piles.
Most of the deaths were a result of the burning canvas that fell on them. Some may have died as a result of being crushed in a panic-stricken mob, but burns soon followed.
It is important to note that the practically-new tent had been treated for waterproofing, but not for flameproofing. At the time, even back in 1944, there were chemicals in existence, used by the Army and Navy both, that effectively combined waterproofing and flameproofing.
As a result of this tragedy, ordinances were enforced including adequate and unblocked exits, flameproofed canvas materials, firemen and policemen on-site during events, the removal of nearby combustible materials during the show, adequate fire extinguisher equipment, and a plan for notifying fire departments in an emergency.
It's so important for those who run these temporary pop-up events to adhere to FDNY codes as well as all recommendations of the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). There were many things gone wrong at this circus tragedy, but certainly, the lack of flameproofing is the one factor that was a game-changer in the outcome.
The importance of flameproofing can't be understated. It prevents treated materials and objects from becoming combustible when in contact with flames. As a result, it greatly minimizes the spread and severity of a fire while creating life-saving evacuation minutes.
If you sponsor temporary pop-up events or have any other flameproofing needs, please call today. Certified Flameproofing is here to serve you and would be happy to offer our expertise. Call and we can also offer you a free, no-obligation estimate: 800-590-5530