1933 – Nov 12, fire in shack showing a film, 2 adults, 9 children, Caguas, Puerto Rico–  11

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 12-27-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–11  NFPA. “Fires in Which There was Loss of Life.” Quarterly of  NFPA. 27/3, Jan 1934, p. 283.

Narrative Information

NFPA: “November 12, 1933. Caguas, Puerto Rico. Nine children and two adults were fatally burned when motion picture film ignited in a little shack in which an amateur motion picture show was being given. Fire started when exposed nitrocellulose motion picture film ignited from a candle.”

Newspaper

Nov 13, AP: “Ponce, Puerto Rico, Nov. 13 (AP) – Seventeen persons, mostly children between the ages of four and nine years, were severely burned today when an improvised motion picture house, operated by children, burned at Caguas.” (Associated Press. “17 Children Badly Burned.” Lowell Sun, MA. 11-13-1933, p. 1.)

Nov 14, AP: “By the Associated Press. San Juan, Puerto Rico, November 14. – Seven of 20 children at Caguas, when a toy motion picture projector exploded, were dead today. Four more are expected to die. Julio Velaquez was proudly showing his toy to his playmates at the home of Luis Rivera. The children sat about, excitedly watching a tiny picture unfold before them in the darkened room. The light for the projector was furnished by a candle. It set fire to the explosive film. Julio and Luis were among the dead. Nine of the children still are in the hospital.” (Associated Press. “Death List Totals 7 in Toy Movie Blast. Candle Sets Fire to Explosive Film.” The Evening Star, Washington, DC. 11-14-1933, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “17 Children Badly Burned.” Lowell Sun, MA. 11-13-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-27-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-nov-13-1933-p-33/

Associated Press. “Death List Totals 7 in Toy Movie Blast. Candle Sets Fire to Explosive Film.” The Evening Star, Washington, DC. 11-14-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-27-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-dc-washington-evening-star-nov-14-1933-p-1/

National Fire Protection Association. “Fires in Which There was Loss of Life.” Quarterly of the NFPA. Vol. 27, No. 3, Jan 1934, p. 283.