Episode 14: Cocoanut Grove Fire

About this episode

The episode discusses the Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire, its causes, and its impact on fire safety regulations.

On November 28, 1942, Boston’s Cocoanut Grove nightclub became the deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. More than 1,000 people were inside a venue approved for far fewer when fire broke out in the basement Melody Lounge. CC and Kitty trace what happened, why escape failed, why the official cause remained unknown, and how the disaster changed fire safety forever. SOURCES: https://bostonfirehistory.org/the-story-of-the-cocoanut-grove-fire/ https://bostonfirehistory.org/fire-alarm/running-cards/ https://www.wcvb.com/article/80th-anniversary-cocoanut-grove-nightclub-fire-boston-massachusetts/42079566 https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2017/fall/cocoanut-grove https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/king-charles-solomon-bostons-answer-al-capone/

Topics covered

• Cocoanut Grove Fire
• fire safety
• history
• disasters

Keywords

• Boston
• nightclub fire
• Melody Lounge
• 1942

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Boston, U.S.

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