Hartford Circus Fire, The: Tragedy Under the Big Top (Disaster)

Almost 7,000 fans eagerly packed into the Ringling Brothers big top on July 6, 1944. With a single careless act, an afternoon at the "Greatest Show on Earth" quickly became one of terror and tragedy as the paraffin-coated circus tent caught fire. Panicked crowds rushed for the few exits, but in minutes, the tent collapsed on those still struggling to escape below. Hartford and the surrounding communities reeled in the aftermath as investigators searched for the source of the fire and the responsible parties. A total of 168 lives were lost, many of them children, with many more injured and forever scarred by the events. Through firsthand accounts, interviews with survivors and a gripping collection of vintage ph

tom delavergne said Excellent retelling of the horrible Hartford Circus Fire in 19Excellent retelling of the horrible Hartford Circus Fire in 1944 tom delavergne Excellent retelling of the horrible Hartford Circus Fire in 1944. Author does not overwhelm us with too much information. Sticks to the pertinent facts and presents an easily read story Short personal biographies of each person killed in the fire is an interesting and very human addition to the book. Excellent retelling of the horrible Hartford Circus Fire in 1944 tom delavergne Excellent retelling of the horrible Hartford Circus Fire in 1944. Author does not overwhelm us with too much information. Sticks to the pertinent facts and presents an easily read story Short personal biographies of each person killed in the fire is an interesting and very human addition to the book. . Excellent retelling of the horrible Hartford Circus Fire in 19Excellent retelling of the horrible Hartford Circus Fire in 1944 tom delavergne Excellent retelling of the horrible Hartford Circus Fire in 1944. Author does not overwhelm us with too much information. Sticks to the pertinent facts and presents an easily read story Short personal biographies of each person killed in the fire is an interesting and very human addition to the book. Excellent retelling of the horrible Hartford Circus Fire in 1944 tom delavergne Excellent retelling of the horrible Hartford Circus Fire in 1944. Author does not overwhelm us with too much information. Sticks to the pertinent facts and presents an easily read story Short personal biographies of each person killed in the fire is an interesting and very human addition to the book. . Author does not overwhelm us with too much information. Sticks to the pertinent facts and presents an easily read story Short personal biographies of each person killed in the fire is an interesting and very human addition to the book. Five Stars Donna M. Dube An excellent, well written account of a terrible tragedy.. Sherry wells said Four Stars. So sad. But a good read. Takes you through personal experiences.

Michael Skidgell, a lifelong Connecticut resident, is a project manager and an engineering manager at Steeltech Building Products. . He has served in the construction company as a draftsman, engineer, estimator, coordinator and project manager for thirty years. Skidgell started his research on the Hartford circus fire in 2001, and has been pursuing the subject ever since

About the Author Michael Skidgell, a lifelong Connecticut resident, is a project manager and an engineering manager at Steeltech Building Products. He has served in the construction company as a draftsman, engineer, estimator, coordinator and project manager for thirty years. . Skidgell started his research on the Hartford circus fire in 2001, and has been pursuing the subject ever since