NIGHT CLUB HORROR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 131, 30 November 1942, Page 3

NIGHT CLUB HORROR

FIRE IN BOSTON

4tiß DEAD; 2H INJURED

(Rec. 1 p.m.)

BOSTON, Nov. 29

It is estimated' that 408 persons are dead and that 214 were injured in a fire in a Boston night club. The main loss of life was caused when screaming crowds became wedged in the exits, fighting madly to get out. About 1000 were in the club, includ-. ing many servicemen. Some of the victims were students celebrating after a college football game. The- entire establishment was ablaze within a, few minutes, and the building was gutted in less than an hour. Servicemen and firemen risked their lives many times trying to reach bodies which were heaped feet high at one entrance. About 150 bodies fell into the basement when the dance floor collapsed. Several hundred people were taken to hospitals badly burned. Only a few escaped unscathed. It was the worst fire in the nation's history since the Chicago theatre fire in 1903, when 575 were killed. Appeals have been made for 100 blood donors, and' all available blood plasma in the Boston area is being used. . n . ■ According to the United Press, the building had only two exits,.with revolving doors into a small vestibule. Official investigators believe faulty exits were largely responsible for the enormous death roll.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a cigarette which ignited the supposedly fireproof palm-tree decorations. A girl attendant, with her hair" ablaze, gave the first alarm. There was an immediate stampede for the exits, women, with hair and clothes on fire, were trampled to death by a screaming crowd. In a few minutes dozens of bodies were piled up near the doorway. Pathetic scenes were witnessed at morgues and hospitals as relatives attempted- to identify charred bodies. Many bodies were burned beyond recognition. Seventeen hours after the fire only 163.bodies - were identified. Among those sent to hospital were Buck Jones, the cowboy film star, and Scott Dunlap.: the film producer.