July 6th, 1944 The Hartford Circus Fire. CT. An estimated 167-169 People Dead.
July 6th, 1944 - The Hartford Circus Fire will always be known as one of the most notable fire disasters in United States history. Circus workers had recently coated the Big Tent with 1,800lbs of paraffin and 6,000 gallons of gasoline, a popular water repellant of the day. A small fire started approximately 20 minutes into the show and soon raged out of control. The estimated 8,000+ people stampeded through the blaze. Paraffin (wax) rained down like napalm and many killed were burned beyond recognition. Also made famous was the tragedy of one of the littlest victims, Little Miss 1565. Her name was attributed to the number assigned to her body as she lay unclaimed in the city’s makeshift morgue. Eventually she was reburied in 1992 with the name Eleanor Cook, however, to this day serious doubts still rage as to her true identity even by the Cook Family themselves.
The Hartford Circus Fire, which occurred on July 6, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut, was one of the worst fire disasters in the history of the United States. The fire occurred during an afternoon performance of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus that was attended by approximately 7,000 people. It was estimated that between 167 - 169 people died that day, and over 700 were injured.
July 6th, 1944 - The Hartford Circus Fire will always be known as one of the most notable fire disasters in United States history. Circus workers had recently coated the Big Tent with 1,800lbs of paraffin and 6,000 gallons of gasoline, a popular water repellant of the day. A small fire started approximately 20 minutes into the show and soon raged out of control. The estimated 8,000+ people stampeded through the blaze. Paraffin (wax) rained down like napalm and many killed were burned beyond recognition. Also made famous was the tragedy of one of the littlest victims, Little Miss 1565. Her name was attributed to the number assigned to her body as she lay unclaimed in the city’s makeshift morgue. Eventually she was reburied in 1992 with the name Eleanor Cook, however, to this day serious doubts still rage as to her true identity even by the Cook Family themselves.
The Hartford Circus Fire, which occurred on July 6, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut, was one of the worst fire disasters in the history of the United States. The fire occurred during an afternoon performance of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus that was attended by approximately 7,000 people. It was estimated that between 167 - 169 people died that day, and over 700 were injured.
