Clerkenwell cinema fire

The Clerkenwell cinema fire occurred in the Dream City adult cinema (also known as the 'New City Cinema') on 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 other legal entertainment venues were.[1]

Fire

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.

On learning of the gravity of the situation, Lauwers handed himself in to Walthamstow police station,[4] and was later given a life sentence on three sample charges of manslaughter.

See also

References
  1. "Porn cinemas licensed to thrill: Esther Oxford explores the seedy film". The Independent. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  2. "Jury told of row which led to 11 deaths in porn club blaze". Herald Scotland. 21 March 1995. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  3. "Dream City Cinema Club". Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  4. "Man arrested over porn club deaths". The Independent. 1 March 1994. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
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