Editing Cocoanut Grove fire (section)

{{Short description|1942 nightclub fire in Boston, Massachusetts, US}}
{{Infobox news event

| title                    = Cocoanut Grove fire
| image                    = Cocoanut Grove Night Club Fire.jpg
| image_upright            = 1.3
| caption                  = The Shawmut Street side of the Cocoanut Grove nightclub after the fire
| map                      = {{pushpin map|Boston Metro#Boston}}
| date                     = November 28, 1942
| time                     = Around 10:15 pm
| place                    = [[Bay Village, Boston, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| coordinates              = {{Coord|42|21|0|N|71|4|6|W|type:event_region:US-MA}}
| also known as            =
| cause                    = Ignition of decorative cloth
| first reporter           =
| filmed by                =
| participants             =
| outcome                  =
| reported death(s)        = 492
| reported injuries        = 130
| reported missing         =
| reported property damage =
| burial                   =
| inquiries                =
| inquest                  =
| coroner                  =
| suspects                 = Barney Welansky
| charges                  = Manslaughter, numerous building code and safety violations
| verdict                  = Guilty
| convictions              = Manslaughter
| publication bans         =
| litigation               =
| awards                   =
| url                      =
| website                  = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| notes                    =
}}

The '''Cocoanut Grove fire''' was a nightclub fire which took place in [[Boston]], Massachusetts, on November 28, 1942, and resulted in the deaths of 492 people. It is the [[List of nightclub fires|deadliest nightclub fire in history]] and the third-deadliest single-building fire (after the [[September 11 attacks]] and [[Iroquois Theatre fire]]). The Cocoanut Grove was one of Boston's most popular nightspots, attracting many celebrity visitors. It was owned by Barnet "Barney" Welansky, who was closely connected to the [[American Mafia|Mafia]] and to [[Mayor of Boston|Mayor]] [[Maurice J. Tobin]]. Fire regulations had been flouted: some exit doors had been locked to prevent unauthorized entry, and the elaborate palm tree décor contained flammable materials. The air-conditioning used flammable gas because of the wartime shortage of [[Freon]].

During the first [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] weekend since the U.S. had entered [[World War II]] the Grove was filled to more than twice its legal capacity. The fire was initiated by an electrical short and fueled by [[Chloromethane|methyl chloride]] in the air conditioning unit. Flames and smoke spread rapidly through all areas of the club, and people were unable to escape efficiently because of the locked exit doors. Blame was directed at Welansky for violation of standards; he served nearly four years in jail before being released just weeks before his death. 

Local hospitals were especially well prepared to treat the casualties having been rehearsing emergency drills in response to possible wartime attacks on the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]]. The crisis demonstrated the value of the recently installed [[blood bank]]s and stimulated important advances in the treatment of burn victims. Following the fire many new laws were enacted for public establishments, including the banning of flammable decorations, a provision that emergency exits must be kept unlocked (from the inside), and that [[revolving door]]s cannot be the only exit.