General Resources
Fire in America by Call Number: TH 9115.N28 1976Publication Date: 1976Natchez Dance Hall Tragedy--pp. 162-163 (also online)
- NFPA Case Study: Nightclub FiresThis study, which was carried out in response to the Station Nightclub Fire, also includes summaries of and lessons learned from several major nightclub fires, including the Rhythm Club Fire, which is discussed on pages 3-4.
Rhythm Club Fire: Introduction
This award-winning documentary is available on Youtube.
The Rhythm Club Fire occurred on April 23, 1940 in Natchez, Mississippi; around 209 people were killed and over 200 were injured. All of the victims were African Americans. The club was a long, narrow building with corrugated iron walls and roof. All the windows had been boarded up to prevent people outside the club from entering or watching a performance through the windows. There were only two doors, both near the front of the building; one was locked. Walter Barnes and his Royal Creolians were performing to a crowd of over 700 people when the fire broke out near the entrance around 11 p.m. The club's decorations included Spanish moss hung from the ceiling, which had been sprayed with Flit, a petroleum-based insectiside. The moss quickly ignited, and the building's metal construction prevented the heat from leaving the building. Many people were able to excape through the front door, while others pushed toward the back of the building, where they were unable to escape because there was no exit.
Resources at the IFSI Library
These links take you to the IFSI catalog. To request an item, click "Add to Request Bin." This takes you to a page where you can fill out the online request form and submit to the IFSI library. To request items, you must be an Illinois resident with a library card from an Illinois library.
- Rhythm Nightclub Fire Materials byCall Number: VF 000598This file contains an assortment of articles and clippings discussing the fire, dating from 1940 to 2010. It includes many newspaper articles published in the aftermath of the fire from the Chicago Defender, the Atlanta Daily World, the New York Amsterdam News, the Chicago Daily Tribune, and the Pittsburgh Courier.
Online Resources
- Remembering Historic Fires: The Rhythm Club FireThis article links to a training bulletin produced by firefighter Ron Kanterman based on the events of the Rhythm Club Fire.
- Rhythm Night Club MuseumThis museum, built on the actual site of the nightclub in Natchez, Mississippi, houses photographs, newspaper articles, recorded interviews with survivors, memorabilia, and examples of the music performed at the club.
- Remembering the deadly Rhythm Club fireThis article looks at the Rhythm Club Fire as a firefighter would, considering contemporary safety standards, building and event details, and emergency response.
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