Public Education

Deadliest public assembly and nightclub fires

The 10 deadliest public assembly and nightclub fires in U.S. history

  1. Iroquois Theater (PDF), Chicago, IL
    December 30, 1903.
    Deaths: 602
  2. Cocoanut Grove nightclub, Boston, MA
    November 28, 1942
    Deaths: 492
    Members: NFPA fire investigation report  (PDF)
  3. Conway's Theater, Brooklyn, NY
    December 5, 1876
    Deaths: 285
  4. Rhythm Club dance hall, Natchez, MS
    April 23, 1940
    Deaths: 207
    Members:  NFPA fire investigation report (PDF)
  5. Rhoads Opera House, Boyertown, PA
    January 13, 1908
    Deaths: 170
  6. Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus tent (PDF), Hartford, CT
    July 6, 1944
    Deaths: 168
  7. Beverly Hills Supper Club, Southgate, KY
    May 28, 1977
    Deaths: 165
    Members: NFPA fire investigation report (PDF)
  8. The Station nightclub, W. Warwick, RI
    February 20, 2003
    Deaths: 100
  9. Happy Land Social Club, Bronx, NY
    March 25, 1990
    Deaths: 87
    Members: NFPA Alert Bulletin (PDF)
  10. Richmond Theater, Richmond, VA
    December 26, 1811
    Deaths: 72

Source: NFPA files on major fire incidents
Updated: 11/12

The 10 deadliest nightclub fires in world history

  1. Cocoanut Grove nightclub, Boston, MA
    November 28, 1942
    Deaths: 492
    Members: NFPA fire investigation report (PDF)
  2. Disco/dance hall, Luoyang, China. (Fire began elsewhere in shopping plaza and spread to disco.)
    December 25, 2000
    Deaths: 309
  3. KISS nightclub, Santa Maria, Brazil
    January 27, 2013
    Deaths: 242
  4. Rhythm Club dance hall, Natchez, MS
    April 23, 1940
    Deaths: 207
    Members:  NFPA fire investigation report (PDF)
  5. Cromagnon Republic club, Buenos Aires, Argentina
    December 30, 2004
    Deaths: 194
  6. Beverly Hills Supper Club, Southgate, KY
    May 28, 1977
    Deaths: 165
    Members: NFPA fire investigation report (PDF)
  7. Ozone Disco Club, Quezon City, Philippines
    March 18, 1996
    Deaths: 160
  8. Lame Horse Nightclub, Perm, Russia
    December 5, 2009
    Deaths: 154
  9. Club Cinq, St. Laurent du Pont, France
    November 20, 1971
    Deaths: 143
  10. The Station nightclub, W. Warwick, RI
    February 20, 2003
    Deaths: 100
Disclaimer: Death tolls are based on information in NFPA’s records. Please contact us at research@nfpa.org to provide any updated information.
Source: NFPA files on major fire incidents.
Updated: 2/13