Hey, Bostonians. Via a comment at Edge of the West comes a link to this fascinating story of the Cocoanut Grove fire in 1942, which killed 492 people in minutes. You know about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York and its repercussions; Cocoanut Grove had similar effects.
The impact was national. Doctors learned strategies for the treatment of burns that became standard at hospitals everywhere, and across the nation, cities tightened building codes to require lighted exit signs, doors that open outward and revolving doors flanked by conventional doors.
Friday was the 66th anniversary of the fire.
Posted by Linkmeister at November 30, 2008 10:10 AM | TrackBackThe only Cocoanut Grove I was aware of was at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.
Posted by: cookie jill at December 1, 2008 06:54 PMI hadn't heard of this terrible fire before. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Karan at December 6, 2008 02:32 PM