Seven ballet dancers burned to death in their dressing room at the Continental Theater in Philadelphia

The Continental Theater in Philadelphia was producing Shakespeare's Tempest in ballet form with a large corps of dancers.  Just before a performance, as the women were dressing, the costume of one caught fire from a gas lamp.  Others ran to help her and their dresses caught as well.  Quickly, many in the dressing-room were ablaze.  Seven women dancers died from their burns and others suffered serious injuries.  (By John Osborne)