Fire at the Richmond Theater - A fire that occurred on December 26, 1811 at the Richmond Theater, the capital of the US state of Virginia . It became the largest tragedy at that time in the history of US cities.
As a result of the fire, the theater building was completely destroyed, killing 72 people (54 women and 18 men). Among the victims are the 17th Governor of Virginia, George William Smith , who assumed office that same year, and the former State Senator, President of the Bank of Virginia, Abraham Venable . According to some allegations, there were more deaths. [one]
Content
- 1 Background
- 2 fire
- 3 In the literature
- 4 memory
- 5 notes
Background
On the evening of December 26, they performed in honor of actor Alexander Placide and his daughter. Initially, it was planned for the evening of December 23, but was postponed due to the death of Eliza Poe , who played in the theater, Placid's illness and bad weather. [2] On the first evening after Christmas, the theater hall was jam-packed: 518 men and women, as well as 80 children came to see the play based on the play by Denis Didro “ The Father of the family ” (“ Le père de famille ”) and the pantomime “ Raymond and Agness, or The Bleeding Nun . "
A fire arose at the end of the first act, from a burning candle falling on the scenery.
Fire
The rapid spread of fire caused panic among the public. Despite the fact that there were several exits in the theater building, people rushed to the windows, but many were afraid to break by jumping from a great height. Another part of the public was knocked down by a randomly moving crowd, and moreover, could not do anything to save itself. Several people distinguished themselves during the fire, in particular, the editor of the newspaper Richmond Standard, who, being outside, with other volunteers, caught people jumping out of windows. About ten lives were saved by blacksmith Gilbert Hunt, whose store was next to the theater. He caught people whom James James McCaw helped to get out of the second tier. Later, the book “Gilbert Hunt, the City Blacksmith” was released about the brave slave, the proceeds of the sale of which were given to Gilbert Hunt to facilitate his life in old age. They wrote that about 30 people were saved by Peter Francisco , a hero of the war for independence . [3]
In the literature
The last scene of the terrible fire in Edgar Allan Poe ’s short story Metzingerstein could have been inspired by memories of a theater fire. The tragedy happened only 18 days after the death of the mother of the writer Eliza Poe , who played in this theater. (The future writer himself was not even then three years old). When it became known about her illness, the theater on November 29, 1811 staged a charity performance in her honor.
Memory
A memorial chapel was erected on the site of the burnt building in 1812 - 1814 . [four]
The new theater building was built in another place in 1819 .