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Cleveland School Fire of 1923
On May 17th, 1923 in Camden, South Carolina, over 300 people were packed in the Cleveland school.
The Cleveland School circa 1920's
They were there for a children’s graduation play that ended in tragedy. News from the small town would be known all over the country by morning.
The play was a tradition that would be the last that night. It was announced that the school would close after this school year and that these would be the last students to pass through these halls.
The building was a two-story, wooden frame building with the auditorium and stage on the second floor. The key feature of the second floor was a 30 inch staircase which was the only exit from the second floor.
As was customary in those days, oil lamps were burned when night fell. They hung along the corridor and above the stage. At approximately 21:00 hours a lamp that was above the stage fell and started a fire on the stage. There were attempts to put the fire out with coats but the fire spread to the stage curtains.
With the room being filled beyond capacity and the obstacle of chairs, the exiting of people was difficult at best. As people realized that the exit was jammed, they started jumping out of the second story windows and were severely injured. The room was dark, filled with smoke and getting hotter and more putrid.
As the stair way was full with people stuck on them, they finally gave way from the weight, spilling them to the floor below. At the same time, the upper floor was also slipping onto the floor below.
That night 77 people lost their lives at a school event that should have ended with celebration and refreshments. Instead the community was tasked with finding the bodies of those who did not make it out.
There is a reason we have fire codes and building codes. It also shows the importance of inspections and code enforcement. Over the years we have made great strides in fire prevention and fire codes. But, we have to make sure that corridors are free of clutter and that protection systems are in place and maintained.
Stay diligent and keep your community safe before the fire starts.
You can find more on this fire at http://www.scarboroughgenealogy.com/Cleveland.htm
Pictures are from the same site listed above.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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And do you think we have learned anything since 1923? For those that take the time to read this post, which has nothing to do with helmets, fire engine color or gender specific endless arguments... please note that if you have jurisdictional responsibility for providing both fire protection and prevention, and if you use the Uniform Fire Code, then you should know that fires, such as the one spotlighted in this discussion post paved the way for modern fire code and building construction standards. Have you taken the time to read the fire code(s)?
There are basically only three things to accomplish when you go to a business, school or building. Anything else is fluff. What are the three basic components of a successful engine company fire inspection?
1. Keeping all exits clear.
2. Separation of Incompatible Materials
3. Appropriate Emergency Signage
CBz
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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
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It is an unfortunate truth that most laws regarding public safety are written in blood.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Hoevelmann on
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I like the way you keep it simple. The fact is, what you said and listed goes a long way in keeping our promise to those that we protect. Thanks for the comments.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Rose on
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This fire of 1923, I think was one that you can say "broke the camels back" on fire and made people really think of the fire codes and building codes we help enforce today. We also cannot forget the other fires that happened before 1923.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Meadows on
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Or since 1923. There's been a lot of learning since then too. And we are still learning about how to make buildings safer. Among other things.
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