It can be all too easy to get caught up in the stress of everyday life and forget how lucky we are to live in modern times. Everyone complains a little more than they probably should, and people tend to forget how good we really have it in today’s society. It wasn’t that long ago that those injured in an accident didn’t have advanced hospitals and fire departments to turn to for assistance. Back in 1889, an explosion at a Connecticut hotel left dozens dead and injured. This was a horrific disaster in Connecticut’s history that led to reforms in insurance policies.

The corner of Allyn and High Streets in Hartford looks like a pretty typical urban street corner nowadays. You'd never know that this was the site of one of the worst disasters in Connecticut history.
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This corner was once home to the Park Central Hotel, a five-story brick building that caught fire on February 18, 1889.
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The hotel was a popular resting spot for travelers and was at full occupancy the night of the fire.
Connecticut Historical Society
The fire allegedly started from a boiler explosion, though reports at the time claimed the hotel had been built on "made ground" (land previously used as a landfill or otherwise considered unsafe), which likely contributed to the building's collapse.
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Some died in the fire itself or from smoke inhalation, others were killed by flying debris. All together, 22 people lost their lives, with many more injured.
Connecticut Historical Society
The building was ripped into shambles, with debris all over the place. Spectators stood by and watched as the fire department attempted rescue.
This disaster was tragic, but it did lead to some reforms in the area's insurance industry. After the explosion, stricter inspections were required of buildings.
Connecticut Historical Society

Were you familiar with this terrible disaster in Connecticut history?

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