The Hartford circus fire occurred on July 6 , 1944 , in Hartford , Connecticut , during an afternoon performance that was attended by approximately 7,500 to 8,700 people . It was one of the worst fire disasters in the history of the United States . Although the Hartford Fire Department responded quickly , the fire was exacerbated by the fact that the canvas circus tent had been waterproofed with a mixture of highly flammable paraffin and gasoline . During the ensuing panic , Emmett Kelly , the tramp clown , threw a bucket of water at the burning canvas tent , and a poignant photograph of his futile attempt was transmitted around the world as news spread of the disaster . At least 167 people were killed in the disaster and hundreds more were injured . One of the dead , Little Miss 1565 , was not positively identified until 1991
Hartford circus fire
Hartford circus fire
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus