The Clerkenwell cinema fire occurred in the Dream City adult cinema (also known as the 'New City Cinema') at 7 St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, United Kingdom, on 26 February 1994. Due to the pornographic nature of the films it screened, and the strict cinema licensing regulations in London at the time, the cinema was operating illegally, and thus was not subject to fire inspections as legal entertainment venues were.[1]
Clerkenwell cinema fire
Date
26 February 1994
Location
St John Street, Clerkenwell, London, United Kingdom
The fire was caused by arson when a deaf, homeless man called David Lauwers (known to his friends as 'Deaf Dave') lost a fight with a doorman about needing to pay the entry fee again, having earlier left the club.[2] After being ejected from the cinema, Lauwers returned with a can of petrol and set fire to the entrance area. The fire took hold rapidly, trapping most of the staff and patrons within. Eight men died at the scene, seven from smoke inhalation and one from injuries sustained from jumping from a high window in the building, and there were three further fatalities in the following months in hospital,[3] as well as thirteen injuries.
^"Porn cinemas licensed to thrill: Esther Oxford explores the seedy film". The Independent. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
^"Jury told of row which led to 11 deaths in porn club blaze". Herald Scotland. 21 March 1995. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
^"Dream City Cinema Club". Retrieved 8 January 2016.
^"Man arrested over porn club deaths". The Independent. 1 March 1994. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
December 28, 2022
clerkenwell, cinema, fire, occurred, dream, city, adult, cinema, also, known, city, cinema, john, street, clerkenwell, london, united, kingdom, february, 1994, pornographic, nature, films, screened, strict, cinema, licensing, regulations, london, time, cinema,. The Clerkenwell cinema fire occurred in the Dream City adult cinema also known as the New City Cinema at 7 St John Street Clerkenwell London United Kingdom on 26 February 1994 Due to the pornographic nature of the films it screened and the strict cinema licensing regulations in London at the time the cinema was operating illegally and thus was not subject to fire inspections as legal entertainment venues were 1 Clerkenwell cinema fireDate26 February 1994LocationSt John Street Clerkenwell London United KingdomCoordinates51 31 12 N 0 06 04 W 51 520 N 0 101 W 51 520 0 101 Coordinates 51 31 12 N 0 06 04 W 51 520 N 0 101 W 51 520 0 101Deaths11Non fatal injuries13ConvictedDavid LauwersFire EditThe fire was caused by arson when a deaf homeless man called David Lauwers known to his friends as Deaf Dave lost a fight with a doorman about needing to pay the entry fee again having earlier left the club 2 After being ejected from the cinema Lauwers returned with a can of petrol and set fire to the entrance area The fire took hold rapidly trapping most of the staff and patrons within Eight men died at the scene seven from smoke inhalation and one from injuries sustained from jumping from a high window in the building and there were three further fatalities in the following months in hospital 3 as well as thirteen injuries On learning of the gravity of the situation Lauwers handed himself in to Walthamstow police station 4 and was later when given a life sentence on three sample charges of manslaughter citation needed clarification needed Lauwers died aged 41 in prison from a heart attack in 2001 citation needed See also EditDenmark Place fireReferences Edit Porn cinemas licensed to thrill Esther Oxford explores the seedy film The Independent 23 October 2011 Retrieved 8 January 2016 Jury told of row which led to 11 deaths in porn club blaze Herald Scotland 21 March 1995 Retrieved 5 June 2017 Dream City Cinema Club Retrieved 8 January 2016 Man arrested over porn club deaths The Independent 1 March 1994 Retrieved 8 January 2016 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Clerkenwell cinema fire amp oldid 1128935438, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
