May 15: On This Day in World History … briefly
An exposed light bulb too close to some nitrocellulose x-ray film ignited the film. The burning nitrocellulose film quickly produced a significant amount of poisonous gas, causing victims to suffocate - the faces of victims turning yellowish brown within minutes.
1929: Fire kills 123 at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
A major structure fire at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 15, 1929, that started in the basement of the hospital was caused by nitrocellulose x-ray film that ignited when an exposed light bulb was too close to the film. The fire generated poisonous gas and two separate explosions, claiming 123 lives, including that of one of the clinic’s founders Dr John Phillips. Policeman Ernest Staab was killed by the gas while rescuing 21 victims. Despite the heavy loss of life, firemen estimated the property damage at only $50 000 ($683 850 in 2013 dollars).
According to investigators, the clinic was not at fault for the fire. Nonetheless, the disaster was responsible for influencing significant changes to fire-fighting techniques. The city of Cleveland issued gas masks to its fire departments and proposed a city ambulance service. Nationally, the disaster prompted medical facilities to establish standards for the storage of nitrocellulose film and other hazardous materials.
Some historians have argued that the Cleveland Clinic fire was also a catalyst for the development of non-flammable, non-toxic chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants. Nevertheless, most of the deaths were from breathing highly toxic carbon monoxide and nitric oxide rather than methyl chloride itself, and even at the time of the disaster chemical companies were aware of the hazards of existing refrigerants.
Most notable historic snippets or facts extracted from the book ‘On This Day’ first published in 1992 by Octopus Publishing Group Ltd, London, as well as additional supplementary information extracted from Wikipedia.
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