Cocoanut Grove Fire Essay

Cocoanut Grove Fire Few incidents in America history have had an effect on the fire service and fire codes like the Cocoanut Grove Fire, the fire became so influential it affected the means of treating burn victims in a hospital setting pioneering the use of petroleum jelly and gauze as the preferred treatment for burn victims. On November 28, 1942 a fire that would consume 492 lives and injure over 166 patrons of the club. The Fire changed Boston’s fire codes and regulations instantly. The Cocoanut Grove Fire was a prime example of the potential devastation that will occur when fire codes and provisions are not in place or enforced as they should be. On the night of the fire a party was to take place celebrating the win of Boston College over Holy Cross College at Fenway Park but the party was canceled when Boston College subsequently lost to Holy

With the Fire beginning in the basement it aided in the fire, quickly filling the basement with smoke because of the large amount of flammable material at the bar. With the fire in the basement it began to preheat the upper level of the club. The only known exit route to patrons was a tight stairwell leading to the upper level which would later become packed with bodies that were unable to escape. The Fire was spreading rapidly as well as a thick cloud of smoke which was putting people unconscious and taking more lives than burn victims. The exits to the club were unlit or covered by drapes, most of those who escaped were workers and those who followed an employee that knew where an exit or window was located. The revolving door in the front was instantly jam packed with bodies proving to be similar to a bear trap than an