Video: 'The Rhythm Club Fire Documentary (full movie)'

(Tuesday, April 23, 1940, 11:15 p.m. CST) — The Rhythm Club fire (or The Natchez Dance Hall Holocaust), a fire in a dance hall in Natchez, Mississippi, killed 209 people — all African Americans — and severely injured many others tonight.

The inferno began as members of the local Moneywasters Social Club were enjoying the song “Clarinet Lullaby,” performed by Walter Barnes and His Royal Creolians orchestra from Chicago.

Starting near the main entrance door, the fire quickly engulfed the structure due to Spanish moss that had been draped over interior’s rafters as a decoration. In order to ensure there were no bugs in the decorative moss, it had been sprayed with petroleum-based Flit insecticide.

Due to the dry conditions, flammable methane gas was generated from the moss and resulted in the destruction of the building within an hour.

As windows had been boarded up to prevent outsiders from viewing or listening to the music, the crowd was trapped. More than 300 people struggled to get out after the blaze began.

A handful of people were able to get out the front door or through the ticket booth, while the remainder tried to press their way to the back door which was padlocked and boarded shut.

Blinding smoke made movement difficult. Many people died from smoke inhalation or by being crushed by the crowd trying to escape. Bandleader Barnes and nine members of his band were among the victims.