Someone who studies history can observe past events and learn lessons from what has happened. When we carefully observe past occurrences, we can take some practical steps to avoid tragedies that have transpired. In the case of fires in American history, we can do the same thing - study infamous fires, analyze their causes, and be sure not to make those same mistakes. This holds true for the tragic fire that occurred over a century ago right here in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Theater fire of 1876 was one of the most devastating fires in all of American history, and there are many lessons we can take from this awful event in history.
The Brooklyn Theater fire took place on a cold winter evening, December 5, 1876, almost 150 years ago today. The theater was located on the corner of Washington and Johnson streets, with more than 1,000 people in attendance. During the theater performance, a gas light touched a piece of the scenery. Once the scenery was ablaze, the fire quickly traveled to other pieces of scenery and it wasn't long before smoke filled the theater as it began to go up in flames.
One crucial mistake that was made that night was that the stagehands tried to put out the fire before helping the audience evacuate the burning building. Because of this error, people were trapped in the building as it went up in smoke. In the theater, no fire escapes were present, and the only way to exit was a small, narrow staircase. As you can imagine, the terrified patrons charged the exit and created a bottleneck where many individuals were trampled on and trapped in the building.
Sadly, 278 people perished in that deadly fire.
Thankfully, we have taken some lessons from that horrible event, and new safety regulations have been implemented. One important aspect to fire safety that could have saved lives back then in the Brooklyn Theater fire is flameproofing. According to FDNY mandates today, decorative items such as curtains, drapes, scenery and hangings must be treated with flame repellents so that they do not contribute to the spread of fire. We can easily see how this measure would have significantly reduced the impact of this fire.
We have also learned other fire safety lessons. First, we know that there were insufficient fire exits in the theater. The theater's exits just were not designed to handle a speedy and orderly evacuation. Additionally, we have learned priorities when a fire occurs. Safely evacuating the public is the first priority, even before trying to put out a fire. And finally, we clearly see how important automatic fire sprinklers are. All of these elements combined could have drastically impacted the outcome of this fire and prevented the loss of so many lives.
Thankfully, in our modern day and age, we have come leaps and bounds in our fire safety efforts. Standards are rigorous and closely supervised. Flameproofing is now a requirement by the FDNY in all places where the public gathers, such as theaters, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, etc. Items used for artistic enhancement are required to have flameproofing treatments, and this factor alone can reduce the loss of lives in the event of a fire.
At Brooklyn Flameproofing, we are committed to keeping Brooklyn safe from the threat of fires. We are happy to use our expertise in flameproofing to protect NYC and the surrounding areas. Call us today for a free, no-obligation estimate and we can discuss a custom plan to meet all your needs. Call today: 800-401-5415