Fire Buffs promote the general welfare of the fire and rescue service and protect its heritage and history. Famous Fire Buffs through the years include New York Fire Surgeon Harry Archer, Boston Pops Conductor Arthur Fiedler, New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and - legend has it - President George Washington.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

LUM'S CHINESE RESTAURANT, NYC



1936

New York, Feb. 13 (Associated Press) - Investigators declared today that panic rather than flames caused the deaths of five persons and injuries to 41 in a fire which swept through Lum's Chinese Restaurant at the height of a party.

Fire Commissioner JOHN J. McELLIGOTT said a preliminary inquiry showed no suspicious circumstances connected with the fire nor any evidence of negligence.

"It is just another case of panic where people invariably will try to get out the same door in which they entered," said Building Commissioner SAMUEL FASSLER.

Most of the patrons, he said, had tried to leave through a 59th Street exit. There was another stairway on Lexington Avenue.

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