Skip to Main Content

Historic U.S. Fires, 1871-2003: Arkansas Negro Boys Industrial School

Fires that had lasting impact

Locked in

Sixty-nine teenagers were locked in a rickety, unattended "escape proof" building when a fire broke out. Miraculously, 48 survived after they managed to claw open a window and escape. By the time the firetrucks arrived on the scene, the remaining 21 boys had perished.

Hidden history