page_title: Ringtheater
section_title: The Ringtheater fire
hierarchical_section_title: Ringtheater / The Ringtheater fire
caption_attribution_description: Die Brandruine des Ringtheaters am Schottenring 7 in Wien am 8. Dezember 1881
context_page_description: The Ringtheater was a popular theater in Vienna, Austria. In 1881, it was destroyed in the Ringtheater fire that killed 449 people. The site now houses the federal headquarters of police for Vienna.
context_section_description: Given that the footprint of the theatre was small—and the theatre was intended to hold an audience of 1700—the architect was forced to build high, but with disastrous consequences. On December 8, 1881, a fire broke out shortly before a performance of Les contes d'Hoffmann, and 449 people were killed. The following year, a new law was passed, regarding the outfitting and safety provisions, including safety curtains, outwards-opening doors and fireproofing of the set.
caption: The ruins of the fire at the Ringtheater, 8 December 1881
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