Fire at the Cocoanut Grove Trivia Quiz

Answer: Boston

Boston was the site of the fire. The Cocoanut Grove was 'the place to be and be seen' in that era of the early 1940s. Actually, it was divided into two sections. One was a dining room and dancing area which had a roof that could be rolled back in fair weather for dancing under the stars. Downstairs was the Melody Lounge which featured a piano bar. Located in the Bay Village neighborhood of Boston at 17 Piedmont Street it had first come to life as a 'speakeasy' of the prohibition era.

Answer: November 28, 1942

For some time the newspaper accounts of the fire and its aftermath dominated the news, forcing some World War II news to the back pages as Americans tried to absorb the deadly disaster.

Answer: Error in changing a light bulb

Stanley Tomaszewski, a 16 year old bus boy, was asked to replace a bulb that someone had unscrewed. In order to do this, Tomasewski had to strike a match to properly set the bulb. Reportedly, there was an instant flame cutting across the downstairs Melody Lounge. Tomaszewski was interrogated as he survived the fire and was exonerated from blame.

Answer: Chemicals, decorations and lack of fire planning

As we were to learn from this tragic fire, fire prevention in potentially crowded areas is essential. The decorations and of paper and cloth were dangerous. As forensic evidence came forward later, chemicals released by the fire caused toxic gas to quickly flow through out the club causing death to many patrons within minutes.

Answer: Bouncers tried to keep people inside as they were not sure they had paid their bills

The crowd tried to exit through the main entrance, a revolving door, that quickly became jammed with injured and dead people. Windows that might have been broken and used for escape were overhung with decorations and could not be located. Some exits had been sealed to prevent customers from leaving without paying their bills. What few doors were available became jammed as well, as they opened inwards into the nightclub.

Answer: Buck Jones

Buck Jones made 160 movies in the silent and early sound eras. He was in Boston to help sell War Bonds for the military effort and had visited hospitals in the area. He was badly burned and died two days later. Because of the heroic roles that he played, a rumor persisted that Jones had rushed back into the fire to save others but this has been discounted as his injuries when found were too severe.

Answer: 492

Vastly overcrowded, the patrons panicked. Some died at their dining tables of smoke inhalation and toxic fumes. Many others were trampled to death in the resulting melee. The lights went out immediately and the smoke was black and thick. Some escaped through the kitchen.

Some found refuge in a walk-in freezer. Several servicemen on leave died as did a newly married couple celebrating their wedding that day. The large glass windows in front could not be broken for egress as they had been reinforced with timber. Fire inspectors estimated that at least 300 lives could have been saved if the doors had opened out rather than in.

Answer: He was found guilty of involuntary homicide

The authorities picked nineteen names at random from the victims and tried Welansky for involuntary homicide. He was found guilty and was sentenced to 12 to 15 years in prison. He was pardoned by Governor Maurice Tobin in December 1946. Riddled with cancer, Welansky died eight months later. Welansky had extensive Mafia and political connections and was able to 'wink' at some existing fire codes.

Answer: Fire extinguishers every twenty feet

As the news of the disaster spread around the nation, towns and cities all over the nation took stock of their fire regulations and there was a mass improvement in fire protection all over the country. The Cocoanut Grove was a wake-up call for America.

Answer: Research into causes of other fires

Dr. Eric Lindemann studied survivors and their relatives and published a classic paper, "Symptomatology and Management of Acute Grief."

Alexandra Adler's studies on 500 survivors of the fire are some of the earliest research on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Local hospitals used gauze and vaseline to treat burns. The new blood bank was called upon. It was one of first major uses of penicillin in a major civil disaster.