Sunday Marks 70th Anniversary of Devastating Circus Fire in Hartford

This weekend, Hartford will pay tribute to the hundreds of people injured and killed in a massive fire at the circus 70 years ago.

July 6 marks the anniversary of the infamous blaze that killed more than 150 and injured 700 more.

The fire broke out during an event held by Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus that was attended by nearly 7,000 people. According to a release from the Hartford Fire Department, the inferno has gone down as one of the worst fires in the history of the United States.

The blaze prompted changes to the city fire code, including establishment of capacity limits, the prohibition of gasoline use, and mandatory use of flame-retardant tents.

Sunday’s remembrance ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. and will be held at the site of the fire, in the rear of the Fred D. Wish School located at 350 Barbour Street in Hartford.

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