Introduction

In Hartford, Connecticut on the afternoon of July 6, 1944, a disaster struck the Barbour Street Show Grounds at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus with nearly 8,000 fans in attendance. Most people did not know there was a fire until someone yelled "fire" which resulted in sudden panic among the crowd. With limited exits, people began rushing to get to safety, and it became so clustered that people were getting trampled and others were forced to find alternate exits. Unfortunately, 167 people lost their lives in the tragic fire and there were over 700 people that were injured in their fight to safety (The Hartford Circus Fire).  Most of those that died and were injured were women and children as this tragedy occurred during World War II, so most men were overseas in battle (Bollier & Cohn, 7). Once the fire had been extinguished, the emergency personnel began to sweep the area for survivors. Some bodies were so badly burned and mutilated that they had to be identified by their dental records, jewelry, or even distinct body markings (Connecticut History). Among the many victims, Little Miss was a young girl who became the iconic face of the remembrance of the fire for years to follow (Massey & Davey). There were family members and friends searching through the rubble for their loved ones.  An investigation quickly began in order to provide some answers as to the cause of the fire. At the conclusion of the investigation, it was found that the fire occurred due to a lit cigarette butt that improperly disposed of near the men's restroom. Although it was ruled a tragic accident, it was still not certain if it was truly an accident (Connecticut History). The tent used for the circus was soaked in gasoline and coated in paraffin wax in order to waterproof it. The fire was so destructive because it had this fuel to ignite it within seconds and completely engulf the tent within ten minutes. Shortly after the fire began, numerous organizations were called into action such as Municipal Hospital and American Red Cross in order to aid in the treatment of those that were injured. There were lines of people waiting to use the telephones in order to let their loved ones know they were okay. It was a day that no one will ever forget and it will always be remembered.
 
This tragedy is a clear reminder that danger is everywhere and can happen unexpectedly. The lives that were lost that fateful day were unaware that the circus would be the last thing they ever saw. A day that is supposed to be full of fun and laughter ended with pain and loss. Whether it is sickness, murder, disease or disaster, death occurs in many shapes and forms. The death toll can be large or small, but the overall idea of mortality is inescapable and will one day come to an end. The Hartford Circus Fire of 1944 will be a disaster that will always be remembered and it is the remembrance that will help to prevent similar disasters from occurring again.