Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-01-20
MAYORS COMMITTEE REPORTS
ON CHICAGO THEATER FIRE.

technical report showing the condi-
ton of the Iroquois Theater q far az
appliances for saving life and ex14nguish-
ing fire We're concerned. has been pre-
sented to Mayor Harrison By members
of the five organizations of builders and
architects appointed by him to examine
into the cause and origin of the fire. The
report follows:
Garter III. Harrison, Mayor of the City
of Chieago--Sir:
in compliance with your request of
the 31st ult., to make thorough ex-
animation of the Iroquois Theater and Of
the causes leading up TO the terrible dis
aster of Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1903. we
have made careful investigation; have
examined many witnesses, and beg TO
submit herewith an outline of our con-
clusions and summary OF the same, to-
gether with a copy of the testimony we
have taken.
I'VE find the primary cause to have
been sparks or heat from an electric are,
protector, spot or food hight. igniting
drapery back OF the prosccnium arch
some distance above the stage floor
I'VE further find that the fire extended
on account of lack of inadequate means
az hand to extinguish it, the kilryrc prov
Ing ineffective, and there being pre- vided
no vertical standpipes containing water
under pressure and connected with nose
on hose racks at convenient locations on
flies and bridges, nor automatic spri1k
lers, and no hooks which could have
been used to tear down the burning por-
ton of the scenery.
a ff7p tbat. nj hoe 4hx,E 10,
the auditorium in consequence of the fire
curtain not operating effectively and be
cause of delay in attempting To operate
the same until the fire had obtained some
Roadway, 1t may have been DISTRACTED
by some projection or on account of de-
fective operating devices, or in conse-
quence of friction against the brick pros
cenium wall due to expansion of air or
gases resulting from burning scenery and
from stage doors being open.
The gases produced by the fire being
highly heated and thus made much light
er than the cold outer air, were forced
upward by the thrush of the air through
the stage door, and, finding no opening
above the stage. were forced into the au-
ditorium and compelled to End escape
at the top of the house. following nat
ural laws, the action being similar to
large. open, oId-fashioned dreplaces, with
the flue closed, the proscenium arch cor
responding to the fireplace opening and
the space over the stage to the walls of
the fiue.
I'VE further find that the loss of life
Was due: First, to panic, coupled with
the fact that exits were not designated.
Steps were found placed at door open
mgs, and numerous doors were locked or
bolted with devices not familiar to the
general public. All exits were not man
ned. Independent gallery stairs, required
by law, were closed against exit by
dead-locked door at the foot of the top
tlighr. The arrangement of these stats
was Of faulty construction as to width,
pitch, turns and ratings. The outer iron
alley shutters. not being opened and
swung back against the wall before the
performance, were opened later during
the panic. and prevented people from
continuing down the fire escape on ac-
count of the crossbars getting caught on
the railing of the fire escape, thus effec-
tually blocking the passage.
Second cause was asphyxiation, due
to the first hot blast of smoke and gases
from the stage.
Third cause was on account % exits
being blockaded as result of people
falling, and on account of the fact that
fire escapes from upper exits passed low
err exits out of which flames were bnst-
ing"