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CSI: The Iroquois Theater Fire

“Design Solutions that affect the Life & Safety of the Public”

Tatiana Acosta, Elisabet Lyon & Esperanza Muino

Florida International University

Department of Interior Architecture

IND 5615 Interior Architecture Building Systems for Interiors

Final Project. December 9, 2015

Instructor: Professor Katie Rothfield

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Abstract

The interior designer is faced, as a professional, to make decisions that influence the design of

produced projects. For each project accomplished, the designer builds intellectual, analytical

and creative guiding ideas which will lead him through the project and will help to build a

cohesive design that communicates a specific concept. To walk this path, the designer must also

take into account variables that will define their choices and, with the principles as a guide, lead

the way to a good result.

As interior designers, the most important variables we must to keep in mind are the life, safety

and welfare of the public, especially related to fire safety.

Many of the fires in buildings begin because of either the incineration of decorative materials,

furniture and accumulated waste or the failure of mechanical or electrical systems.

The purpose of this research is to understand the role of the interior designer in the design

process of a building and the importance of a safe design. This research is done by analyzing a

historical tragedy of fire: in our case, the Iroquois Theater in Chicago.

This research allows us to gain knowledge about the origin and development of fire codes, have

empathy for the human experience in relation to the tragedy of preventable fires, understand the

interior architect’s role in safeguard the life, safety and welfare of a building residents and

understand how as interior designers we can implement fire codes to create secure settings for

building residents.

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On Wednesday evening on December 30, 1903 at the beautiful new Iroquois Theater

located at 28 West Randolph Street, among State Street and Dearborn Street in Chicago, the

musical fantasy The Lord Bluebeard was presented. In those moments the room was at full

capacity, on that particular evening, the theater had about 2,000 customers. Its occupancy limit

was 1,600, and the audience was composed mostly of women and children. The moment that

the work needed the moonlight to give the atmosphere the singers, a bluish light lamps, handled

by an electrician, suffered a short circuit and sparks burned part of it was the platform lights.

These were beneath the stage to illuminate the scene up, and tells a witness that the worker

might have suffocated those first flames but did not.

The fire caused by sparks lit a lamp frame canvas that came up on the inside of the stage

area, which viewers could not see. The flames began to rise. All the things that the fire touched

began to swell, which was mostly fabrics and woods of the stage, and within seconds the entire

top, the inside of the stage, was engulfed in flames. The fire began to spread sideways and

above the theater staff. While the performance continued on stage, stagehands and actors that

were not fought the flames and tried to save their lives and those of their peers. At that time, it

was decided to bring down the special curtain against fires, arranged in front of the spectators,

but at roughly half of its route, it got stuck in a cable that was installed from the stage to the

gallery. This cable was responsible for one of the actresses of aerial ballet, as secured by a

harness, so she could pass flying over the audience in one of the scenes of the show. A piece of

burning wood fell to the boards of the stage, and only then did the audience learn that a fire was

developing in the theater. Moments later, several pieces of burning wood began to fall into the

pit. The sides of the curtain, which were supposed to be made of material against the fire began

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to burn violently, and people began running toward the gates, throughout the screams of women

and children crying.

Inside the theater, many of the 250 company workers were trying to exit through a side

emergency door, but not only was it locked, but it also unfortunately opened inwards.

Everything was turning into a death trap. At that time the whole set was in flames, the

smoke choking people and the fire morphing the corridor into a suffering tunnel. The people

inside the theater were successful at destroying the emergency door with an iron bar, but when

it was opened, and workers began to go out, outside air entered like a hurricane forming a

stream of hungry annihilating flames. It ran behind the curtain and dedicated itself to devour

everything that was in the audience, until the fireproof curtain yielded to the force of the fire

and burned, like everything else.

When workers were already in the street, one of them ran to warn firefighters about a

block away. The theater had no fire alarm, no fire extinguishers, or water hoses. Outside, the

cold was intense. On the front doors of the public, there were no workers or stagehands who

may have broken the doors, which also opened inward. Eventually, the sad truth was known;

there were no people in the theater, because all the ushers left first. It was also learned in the

subsequent investigation that of the 10 escape doors only two were in use, and the others were

locked and with steel bars. And because this theater had finished building in two weeks, some

doors were still stuck.

Desperate spectators were crowded into the halls without power to move forward; it was

a dead end. Already half drowned, terrified women and children pushed desperately to find a

way out. Many fell as they ran and were crushed, and those who were at the doors were crushed

by the pressure of those who never stopped pushing. When firefighters finally found a way to

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enter the theater through the front doors to the lobby, they were unable to open any of the

entrances to the hall, as the corpses were piled up to the upper frame. When they managed to

break them, firefighters extinguished the fire in merely 20 minutes, but in the previous 10, the

flames and smoke had made the theater an awful hell. Those in the gallery on the second floor,

had run to try to save their lives to the few open doors where it was known that the escape

ladders were, but only the platforms were found, as such steps still had not been installed. The

first to get there clung to the irons, and those who came later pushed the others to their death.

At the opening, amusingly, the Iroquois Theater announced to its viewers that the

building it was "totally fireproof". The final count was 602 dead, four of which could never be

identified.

There was much interest in opening the theatre for the theatre season, especially the

Iroquois, which was one of the great entertainment venues in the US and also, “one of the big

stops on the vaudeville circuit, drawing the great performers of its day” according to Brannigan

and Carter. However, the construction of the Iroquois was behind schedule for its grand opening

in November of 1903. In order to open it on time, they decided to pay-off all the inspectors with

free tickets to make sure that the grand opening happened. The reality, according to the Chicago

Fire Department, was that all the corners were cut and the building was nothing but a firetrap. It

lacked basic fireproofing: locked exit doors, no smoke and heat vents, no alarms, no sprinklers,

no exit signs, no alarm box and so on. They rushed the opening, just thinking of the business

rather than thinking of the most important feature, the safety of their audience.

Although the lighting and scenery fire hazards started the fire, the fire could have been

prevented if the theatre had taken proper fire safety precautions without rushing the

construction.

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After the Great Chicago fire in 1871, the city was reconstructed with new codes,

methods and new styles of architecture. For example, according to Schons, before the fire,

buildings had one single layer of fireproof material and most of the materials used were wood.

After the tragedy, laws required buildings to be constructed with fire-resistant materials such as

brick, stone, marble and limestone.

The Iroquois was cataloged as one of the most new, elegant and beautiful theatres in the

US. Because of the "totally fireproof" advertising, this gave the confidence for many patrons to

attend and participate in the show. According to the Chicago Fire Department, even architect

Benjamin Marshall made statements before the grand opening explaining how he studied every

theater disaster to avoid any problem, and that he added 30 exit doors allowing the space to be

empty in five minutes. It was very clear that Iroquois theatre was nothing as they had promoted

it. As it mentioned above, the building was behind schedule and it opened after going through

several delays including the inability of Marshall to finish the drawings on time and also due to

labor unrest. The theater was not ready to be open to the public; inside, all building codes were

violated.

Sprinklers, alarms, telephones, extinguishers, alarm boxes and water connections were

missing. There were no exit signs. Most of the doors were locked, and the unlocked ones

opened in instead of out, making it impossible for people to escape. People had nowhere to go.

With the rush of the construction, they could not finish the emergency exits or the stairway from

the fire escape; people found just dead ends. They used flammable materials in the scenery and

props, and smoke doors above the stage were fastened closed, covered by dark curtains. This

means that instead of helping the smoke and heat to escape, allowing breathable air in the

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audience area, it flowed out of the building through the same exits used by people when trying

to escape.

The skylights were intended to open automatically when in the presence of fire; instead,

they were fastened closed. The curtains used in the theatre made of asbestos that were

flammable, weak and made with cheap material. Additionally, at the time to lower them, they

failed to do so. The asbestos is supposed to create a strong and successful barrier against fire,

but in this case, they did not fulfill their function and had no value in the fire.

There were areas in the theatre without exits. For example, the gallery did not have a

main exit of its own. Patrons used the same entrance to access to the space. The Chicago fire

regulations at that time required separate exits and stairways for each of the balconies. In the

Iroquois, there was just one main staircase that lead from the foyer to the balcony connecting

with the stairs of the gallery level. This caused people to concentrate in just one place.

Things could have turned out differently had the construction of the building been

finished on time. Also, if the interior designer could have paid more attention to details, such as

working with non-flammable materials, placing doors that open out, the non-use of accordion

walls, which in this case were used to locked exits to separate the cheapest seats from the most

expensive, and the prevention of locking some of the 30 exit doors existed with dark curtains

due to the unfinished construction.

This tragedy changed fire codes in wake of the devastation it created. New stricter safety

standards for theaters and other public buildings were made. The new laws became uniform for

all public buildings. In addition, all theater exits had to be marked and the doors could only be

pushed open from the inside. This created better emergency exits and signs. NFPA code laws

require that most number of safety systems and features be present in order to keep everyone

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safe should an unexpected fire should occur. It is essential to recognize different types of fire

hazards that can occur in different types of buildings.

Interior designers create floor plans that comply with all of the building, life safety, and

access codes so that in case of an emergency, exiting the building would be a safe and quick

process. They chose and specify interior finish materials for public spaces that have approved

fire rating codes. They can use fire retardant materials in the ceilings and create better exit lights

and paths that lead to the exterior of the building.

The Iroquois fire, was considered a tragedy since many people died and many were

injured—most sadly, the majority of them were women and children. According to Slosson in

his article, “the screams of the children for their mothers and mothers for their children I shall

carry in my memory to my dying day” states how the family of the victims received no

compensation or restitution; they never received a cent from the damages. Families carried an

endless sadness and many men lose their woman and children. There was no law in the case; no

one was put in jail. Families needed at least the justice from the state, but they could not find it.

Moreover, families were insulted by some thieves; when the fire happened, the news was spread

and thousands of people gathered at the doors of the theater including thieves that took money

and jewelry from the dead by cutting ears and fingers to steal rings and earrings.

The building still exists and was rebuilt and reopened a few months after the tragedy as

Hyde and Behman’s Music Hall, which presented vaudeville. In 1905 the theater was named the

Colonial theater. The Colonial closed its doors on May 17, 1924 and was demolished on May

26th. This led the way for the construction of a 5,000 seat auditorium which is now the Ford

Center for the Performing Arts. In this center, the Oriental theater is the main attraction where

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people come to watch live shows. Its main purpose is to attract big name Broadway shows that

are very entertaining.

The Oriental, with its Asian-themed decor, was an opulent menagerie of large seahorses

and goddesses under a domed ceiling. It was built in 1926, replacing the doomed Iroquois

Theatre, which had suffered the tragic 1903 fire in which several hundred lives were lost.

Fig.1 Front view of the theater. Fig.2 Inside the theater.

Fig. 3 Stage & Scene at the moment of the fire.

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Fig. 4 Front rows & stage Fig. 5 In the theater, doors locked, panic, fire, and death

Fig. 6 Theatergoers climbing along ladders above the Fig. 7 Firemen helping people

alley (artist's conception) .

Fig. 8 The entire theater in flames

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Fig. 9 Outside of the building by the time of the tragedy Fig. 10 Firemen labors.

Fig. 11 Authorities inspecting the damages.

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Fig. 12 Death… Fig. 13 Ruins…

Fig. 14 …and Desolation.

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Fig. 15 Plan of the theater Fig. 16 Section

Fig. 17 Fire safety plan at the moment of the tragedy

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Fig. 18 Door to the fire escape that could not be Fig. 19 Authorities measuring the exit where hundreds

opened; many died here. killed & burned.

Fig. 20 In 1905 named the Colonial Fig.21 Actually façade of The Oriental theater (Ford Center)

Theater

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Fig. 22 Interiors of the Oriental Theater Fig. 23 Interiors of the hall of the Oriental Theater

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References

Brannigan, F., & Carter, H. (n.d.). Fire Disasters: What Have We Learned? NAOED. Retrieved

from https://www.emergencydispatch.org/articles/firedisasters.html Chicago Fire Dept.-

Danzer, G., & Brandt, N. (n.d.). Chicago Death Trap: The Iroquois Theatre Fire of 1903. The

Michigan Historical Review, 167-167.

Eastland Memorial Society. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2015, from

http://www.eastlandmemorial.org/iroquois.shtml

Fire breaks out in Chicago theater [Motion picture]. (1903). History Channel.

Historic Fires. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2015, from

https://www.utexas.edu/safety/fire/safety/historic_fires.html

How Regulation came to be: The Iroquois Theater Fire. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2015,

from http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/2/22/700564/-

Iroquois Theatre Fire. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2015, from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spzAGnNwaUg

Johnson, R. (2014). Anniversary of the Chicago Iroquois Theater Fire and the Unknown Victim.

Lest we forget: Chicago's awful theater horror. (1904). Chicago: Memorial Pub.

Oriental Theatre. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2015, from http://www.chicago-

theater.com/theaters/oriental-theatre/theater.php

Oriental Theatre | Broadway in Chicago. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2015, from

http://broadwayinchicago.com/theatre/chicagos-oriental-theatre/

Secter, B. (2015). The Iroquois Theater fire. Chicago Tribune.

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Photograph References

Figure 1. Benny Flores. Front view of the Iroquois Theater. Photograph. Retrieved from

https://buildingfailures.wordpress.com/1903/12/30/iroquois-theatre-fire/.

Figure 2. The World Today Magazine. 1904. Foyer of the Iroquois Theater. Drawing.

Retrieved from

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Foyer_of_the_Iroquois_Theater_Chicago_190

3.jpg.

Fugure 3. Journey to Firefighter. 2009. Scene on the stage when the fire started. Photograph.

Retrieved from http://journeytofirefighter.com/602-lives-the-iroquois-theater-fire-of-

1903/.

Figure 4. Mystery History. December 30: This Day in Mystery History. Photograph.

Retrieved from http://mysteryhistory.tv/december-30-today-in-mystery-history/.

Figure 5. Art Gallery. In the theater, doors locked, panic, fire, and death. Drawing. Retrieved

from http://www.hellenicaworld.com/USA/Literature/Various/en/ChicagosAwfulTheaterHorr

or.html.

Figure 6. Charles N. Landon. 1904. Heatergoers climbing along ladders above the alley.

Drawing. Retrieved from http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88085187/1904-01-

05/ed-1/seq-2/.

Figure 7. Art Gallery. Firemen Rescuing the Living. Drawing. Retrieved from

http://www.hellenicaworld.com/USA/Literature/Various/en/ChicagosAwfulTheaterHorr

or.html.

Figure 8. Chicagology. The entire theater in flames. Photograph. Retrieved from

https://chicagology.com/notorious-chicago/iroquois-theatre/.

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Figure 9. Chicagology. Outside of the building by the time of the tragedy. Photograph.

Retrieved from https://chicagology.com/notorious-chicago/iroquois-theatre/.

Figure 10. Old Print. 1904. Iroquois Theatre Chicago. Original Antique Victorian Print.

Retrieved from http://www.old-print.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi.

Figure 11. Castle Beach. Authorities inspecting the damages. Photograph Retrieved from

http://www.oocities.org/castlebeach1129/ChicagoFire/chicagofire11.jpg.

Figure 12. Eddy Foy Sr. The 1903 Iroquois Theater Fire – Chicago. Photograph. Retrieved

from http://www.10news.org/actors/Eddie+Foy+Sr

Figure 13. Royal Free Image. Upper Balcony, Iroquois Theater. Photograph. Retrieved from

https://www.cardcow.com/stock-photo/441762/.

Figure 14. Neil Gale. 2012. Ruins on Stage. Photograph. Retrieved from

https://plus.google.com/photos/+NeilGale/albums/582785090782287968.

Figure 15. Iroquois Theater Webpage. 2105. Floor Plan. Drawing Retrieved from

http://www.iroquoistheater.com/chicago-fireman-michael-roche-iroquois-theater.php.

Figure 16. Iroquois Theater Webpage. 2105. Section Plan. Drawing Retrieved from

http://www.iroquoistheater.com/chicago-fireman-michael-roche-iroquois-theater.php.

Figure 17. Ford Center (Oriental Theatre), Chicago. Floor plan, main level. Drawing. Retrieved

from http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/254/photos/10469.

Figure 18. Neil Gale. 2012. Door to the fire escape that could not be opened; many died here.

Photograph. Retrieved from

https://plus.google.com/photos/+NeilGale/albums/582785090782287968.

Figure 19. Trade with Dave. 2014. Authorities measuring the exit where hundreds were kill &

burned. Photograph. Retrieved from http://tradewithdave.com/?m=201403.

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Figure 20. 1911. Colonial Theater. Photograph. Retrieved from

http://www.oldplaces.org/illinois/colonial.html.

Figure 21. Allyn Joslyn. 2014. Ford Center Chicago. Wallpaper. Retrieved from

http://www.hippowallpapers.com/allyn-joslyn-wallpapers.

Figure 22. Carole Kuhrt Brewer. 2013. Interior of Chicago's historic Oriental Theatre.

Photograph. Retrieved from http://www.chicagonow.com/show-me-

chicago/2013/11/chicagos-holiday-theatre-guide-a-roundup-of-theatre-dance-and-music-

for-the-holidays/

Figure 23. Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre, Chicago, IL. Painting.

Retrieving from

http://www.conradschmitt.com/services/details.cfm/category/decorative-

painting/sub/painting-polychroming.