The+Fire

"The Scottish Reformation" was going smoothly. In-between scenes the curtain closed and Mrs. Mayers showed slides of Scotland. During the third series of slides, the projectionist was changing a slide, when a tube from the gas tank to the projector came loose. The accident produced a loud hissing sound. People became restless and began turning around to the back of the auditorium to see what was happening. Actors behind the curtain heard the commotion and went to see what was happening. In the confusion an actor upset a small lamp on the piano, while another kicked over a kerosene footlight. A small fire started on stage. An actor that was jumping off the stage to avoid the fire got his foot caught in the kerosene trough attached to the footlights and the fire quickly spread. People began to panic and rush to the exit in the rear.

Here is a map of the opera house. Examine it carefully to get an understanding of what the room looked like.

The stage curtains caught on fire and separated the actors and audience. The fire reached the kerosene tank which fed the footlights. Several men tried to throw it out the window but it buckled and burned the men instead. Suddenly a flash of fire exploded in the air above the audience. Fire in the air covered the entire auditorium. Survivors said woodwork was not burning but, the air was. This was caused by the leaking gas tank from the projector that released the gas into the air moments before.


 * Activity**: Have students use the NARA map worksheet to evaluate the map. Have students make connections with how the room was designed and why the crowd had difficulty escaping.

=**Why couldn't they escape?**= - The rear exits opened inward. Frightened crowds pressed against doors and they could not open them. - One exit was locked. - Entire room was made of wood, causing the fire to spread fast. - Stairwell leading down to first floor only 3 feet wide. - The auditorium was located on the second floor of building. - Fire escapes not marked. - Windowsills three feet above floor and hard to reach.

While the majority of the audience rushed to the back of the theatre, the cast members and people sitting in the front rows escaped by the stage stairs. Only 7 cast members died. Five of these cast members got out of the building but went back in to help get others out. Unfortunately they never made it back out.

There were many men that had the opportunity to get out of the building but stayed to find wives, children, or sisters. Some men tried to save their wives and sisters and succeeded and others did not. One man carried who he thought was his fiancée but, was another woman to safety. 170 people died that night.


 * Activity**: Ask students to design a theater that would be safer to use. Tell them to keep in mind the issues people had with the Rhoads Opera House.

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