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- Jun 27, 2007
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- 3,357
On Wednesday, December 30, 1903 more than 2000 people were in attendance @ the Iroquois Theater to see Mr Blue Beard. This was 400 over capacity. The audience consisted mainly of women and children.
In order to open for the holiday season many safety rules were ignored. There were no lit exit signs, no fire alarm system. Doors opened inward, not outward, and were locked. During the show an arc light came into contact with a curtain. Someone yelled fire and panic set in. Comedian Eddie Foy appealed to those to exit slowly and they did until thy came to the inward-opening doors, making exit impossible. Other gates were locked Finally they were able to open a set of double stage doors that led to Dearborn Steet. This caused a massive influx of air that onl stoked the flames.
Someone ran a block up on Dearborn Street to the quarters of Engine 13 where @ 3:33 an alarm was sounded, but many people were already dead. A third alarm was transmitted but 602 people were dead, mostly children and women.
Because of this new laws were enacted, unlocked outward opening doors, sprinklers, fire alarm systems, and flameproof scenery.
Engine 13 remained in those quarters until the early 80's when a new house was built @ the Illinois Center complex.
In order to open for the holiday season many safety rules were ignored. There were no lit exit signs, no fire alarm system. Doors opened inward, not outward, and were locked. During the show an arc light came into contact with a curtain. Someone yelled fire and panic set in. Comedian Eddie Foy appealed to those to exit slowly and they did until thy came to the inward-opening doors, making exit impossible. Other gates were locked Finally they were able to open a set of double stage doors that led to Dearborn Steet. This caused a massive influx of air that onl stoked the flames.
Someone ran a block up on Dearborn Street to the quarters of Engine 13 where @ 3:33 an alarm was sounded, but many people were already dead. A third alarm was transmitted but 602 people were dead, mostly children and women.
Because of this new laws were enacted, unlocked outward opening doors, sprinklers, fire alarm systems, and flameproof scenery.
Engine 13 remained in those quarters until the early 80's when a new house was built @ the Illinois Center complex.