FLOP No. 31 – Iroquois Theatre Fire (1903)

Gatheringpoint.news: The 50 Biggest Flops in Event History

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The Promise: Chicago’s newest, most opulent theater opened with fanfare—a “fireproof” venue fit for royalty and society elites.

What Happened: During a packed matinee performance, a stage light sparked a fire. Panic spread, and exits failed. Over 600 people died—the deadliest single-building fire in U.S. history.

What Failed: Incomplete fire codes. Inaccessible exits. False safety claims.

What We Learned: You can’t rehearse safety after curtain rise.

What an Event Pro Would’ve Advised: Fireproofing is not marketing—it’s construction. Test egress paths and emergency workflows.