This book about that fire was the first non fiction book I read as a kid, I was about 12 or 13. It really astounded me, I used to go to the neighborhood all the time with my dad, whose father was a fireman and probably at that fire.

Glad you found that Pete, YouTube often removes it on request as it's considered to be offensive to the families of those who died. I don't think it is. If someone gets their kicks out of watching people die there are far better places to find images on the internet.

I hadn't seen it for a while and it shocked me all over again.
That and Hillsborough in 1989 (not a fire, but an appalling crush in which 96 football fans died) saw the end of the terraces. Seating only stands were apparently going to kill off live football. Didn't happen. Instead less killing of fans.

Hillsborough in case you're interested. Again, it's horrible.
When I saw the picture on the front page of my colleague's paper the next day I went into the Ladies to be sick. It was knowing that the photo probably showed people already dead ( as they were pressed up against the barrier) or about to die. And also that someone had stood there and taken the photo.


Sorry for being so depressing!

That is horrible! The structure must have been old. I don't think I've been to a sports venue that is made of a flammable material.

I've never seen wood go up that fast, except a Christmas tree. :eek:

Circuses were good at catching fire.

http://www.circusfire1944.com/

Hell yeah! :lol2:

I watched the HBO documentary on the Triangle Shirtwaist fire yesterday. The focus seemed to be on personalizing the event by interviewing descendants of the survivors and victims.

I remember first hearing about it because a high school classmate did a report and presentation on the fire.

Looks like there was a nice accelerant in that soccer fire from the onset.

I wondered if it was three feet of accumulated greasy fish and chips wrappers that had been tossed below the bleachers.

I think it was a greasy hobo.

At one point the announcer says "and now the timbers are coming down..", so the whole thing was likely made of wood with maybe some steel or tin on the roof. Knowing that, the wood was probably lacquered or treated with tar to make it more weather resistant being outdoors like that, which would only cause the fire to burn more intensely and spread faster.

Don't be so sure. In late 1970s, I was visiting friends in Stone Harbor NJ. We were in a crowded night club called Shelter Haven. I smelled something I did not like. Then noticed employees running about in a very concerned manner. I could not get to the front door - it was too crowded. Told friends I was going out back to check for an exit. Found a few. All doors with push bars that were chained and locked on the inside.

Well, I started back to the front. When I finally got out, the staff suddenly started asking everyone to leave quickly. As multiple fire trucks were arriving at the front door.

I called CBS news that night. Reported what had happened and what I found. Never heard anything. Even in modern times, too many people are more concerned about controlling costs rather than safety. And will do what is required only if laws demand it with stiff financial penalties. Too many people think the purpose of a business is profits.

We're in America. Nothing will be done about that until more than 8 people die in a horrible tragedy.:cool:

Late 70s?
Ditto 1981 in the British Isles.

The only good thing about fires like this is we certainly remember them. And they do bring about change.