On November 28, 1942, a fire erupted in the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, Massachusetts, killing 490 people and injuring many more. The blaze spread rapidly through flammable decorations and crowded rooms, and exits were blocked or difficult to access. The disaster became one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history. Investigations found serious safety violations, including locked doors and inadequate emergency lighting. The tragedy led to sweeping reforms in fire codes, building inspections, and crowd-control rules across the country. Lessons from Cocoanut Grove continue to influence modern fire safety standards and emergency planning in public venues.
