VIDEO: Tuesday marks the anniversary of the deadliest nightclub fire in history, which occurred right in Massachusetts. On November 28, 1942, more than 490 people were killed in a fire at the Cocoanut Grove on Piedmont Street in Boston. The Cocoanut Grove was a restaurant/club that was very popular in the 20s, became less popular in the 30s due to the prohibition of alcohol, but became popular again during the early years of World War II.
According to the Boston Fire Historical Society, the Cocoanut Grove was a single-story building, where the first floor was a restaurant with a ballroom floor and the basement contained a bar called the Melody Lounge. During the warmer months, the roof in the dining room was retractable to let guests dine under the moon and stars. The main entrance to the building was a revolving door facing Piedmont Street.