Cocoanut Grove Fire

[grumpy grizzly]

Also on this date in 1942 occurred the Cocoanut Grove fire. 490 people lost their lives in this fire. fire was discovered by E-7/L17 returning from an auto fire @ 10:20 PM. The death toll would have been higher but Boston College cancelled a victory party after losing a game. People could not exit the building because they were trapped in revolving doors. This is why you see doors with panic bars next to them. The exact cause has never really been determined.

 

[mack]

November 28, 1942 - 492 perished in a downtown Boston nightclub fire.  The fire was allegedly started by a busboy who lit a match to change a light bulb.  Assigned units for Box 1521 (Church and Winchester St) were:

2220  1st Alarm    E26,E10,E22,E3                L13,L17      Dist Chief 7      Div Chief 2
2223  2nd Alarm  E35,E15,E7,E8,E43          L3,L15      Water Tower2    Dist Chief 8
2223  3rd Alarm    E39,E34,E12,E33,E32,E2 
2224  4th Alarm    E21,E16,E9,E23,E8          L12                                    Dist Chief 3
2302  5th Alarm    E37,E20,E53,E18,E50

http://bostonfirehistory.org/firestory11281942.html
http://www.celebrateboston.com/disasters/cocoanut-grove-fire.htm
http://www.digplanet.com/wiki/Cocoanut_Grove_fire











Pops Kenney BFD

FireRescue article:  http://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/education/books-training/articles/276836-Secrets-of-Cocoanut-Grove-fire-uncovered/

 

[fdny1075k]

Rest in peace. Coconut Grove occurred two years after a dance hall fire in Mississippi that killed 209.

Coconut Grove remains the second deadliest fire in terms of loss of life in U.S. history(aside from 9/11), with the Iroquois Theatre Fire in Chicago that killed 602, some forty years prior.

 

[grumpy grizzly]

Look at how many companies are no longer active: Engines, 35, 15, 43, 34, 12, 23; Ladders 13, 12.

 

[fdny1075k]

Look at how many companies are no longer active: Engines, 35, 15, 43, 34, 12, 23; Ladders 13, 12.

As I recall, quite a few guys from Ladder 13 were killed at the Vendome Fire and Collapse. I believe Ladder 13 was quartered in the South End with Engine 22. First due Engine 26 used to be in with E7/L17/C4 before they were disbanded.

 

[grumpy grizzly]

22 house lost four members. 26 was with 7/17 4 the moron!

 

[grumpy grizzly]

This fire location does not physically exist, due to construction and placement of streets. RIP to those who perished.