Ringtheater fire kills hundreds in Vienna

Background. The Ringtheater was a popular theater in Vienna, Austria. It was destroyed in a fire in 1881 that killed 384 people. As later background, the structure that stood on the site was badly damaged by fire in 1945 and eventually collapsed in 1951; the site now houses the federal headquarters of police for Vienna. These later developments are noted only as context and form no part of the 1881 event itself.

The Fire. On December 8, 1881, a fire broke out due to a problem with the gas lighting system. The incident occurred shortly before a performance of Les contes d'Hoffmann. At least 384 people were killed in the disaster, which destroyed the theater.