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) 
Source Citation
Chronicle, The Annual Register or a View of the History and Politics of the Year 1861 (London: F. & J. Rivington, 1862), p. 184-185.
Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, September 28, 1861, p. 312-313.
    Date Certainty
    Exact
    Type
    Crime/Disasters
    How to Cite This Page: "Seven ballet dancers burned to death in their dressing room at the Continental Theater in Philadelphia," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/index.php/node/37795.