FIRE IN BOSTON NIGHT CLUB

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23810, 2 December 1942, Page 3

FIRE IN BOSTON NIGHT CLUB

DEATH-ROLL MAY RE MORE THAN 500 (Rcc. 10 p.m.) BOSTON. Nov. .10. Police and fire officials who are investigating the worst American fire disaster in 40 years, say that panic claimed far more lives than the flames in the Cocoanut Grove night club, Boston where the death-roll may exceed 500.’ In a mad rush for the exits the fear-crazed crowd trampled many patrons underfoot. Forty crushed and broken bodies were found jammed m the main entrance, a revolving door. The officials declare that had the patrons filed out in an orderly fashion there would have been few deaths, since the fire was not serious. The firemen could have controlled it easily, but were unable to gain entrance until they had removed the terrible obstacles presented by the piles of crushed bodies. The firemen put out the fire within an hour of receiving the alarm, but it took seven hours to remove the, dead and injured. Army and Navy officers tried vainly to stem the rush to the exits. A hundred and twenty-two bodies are still lying unclaimed in the city morgues. Of the identified dead, 21 are servicemen. There are many tragic stories connected with the fire. Ir. several cases the death of husband and wife occurred, leaving children orphaned. A number of girls were found clasped in the arms of male escorts.

Prominent men and women, and young college students of distinguished families, including many from Harvard, are among the dead. Noted figures in theatrical, sports, and financial circles were killed. Buck Jones, the cowboy film star, died to-day. He was a member of a party of New England exhibitors and prominent film executives, 13 of whom are known to be dead. A bride and groom married a few hours previously, were celebrating with the best man and a maid of honour. The groom has been identified among the dead, and the others are missing.