The Hotel Polen fire occurred on 9 May 1977 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The conflagration destroyed the Hotel Polen (Hotel Poland), a five-story hotel in the centre of the city which had been built in 1891, as well as the furniture store on the ground level and a nearby bookstore. Many of the tourists staying at the hotel (of whom the majority were Swedes) jumped to their deaths trying to escape the flames. Upon their arrival, the fire department used a life net to help people escape, but not everyone could be saved. The incident resulted in 33 deaths and 57 injuries (21 serious). The cause of the fire is unknown.
Hotel Poland in Amsterdam destroyed by fire, 33 killed
The Hotel Polen fire occurred on 9 May 1977 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The conflagration destroyed the Hotel Polen (Hotel Poland), a five-story hotel in the centre of the city which had been...
Historical Significance
The Hotel Polen fire occurred on 9 May 1977 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Events Before
Chai Jing is born
Chai Jing, Chinese journalist and environmental activist, known for chinese journalist and environmental activist, was born on 1976-01-01. Chai Jing is a Chinese journalist.
After 45 years of coaching, Paul Brown (Cleveland Browns; Cincinnati Bengals) announces his retirement from the National
After 45 years of coaching, Paul Brown (Cleveland Browns; Cincinnati Bengals) announces his retirement from the National Football League
Sarah Caldwell becomes the first woman to conduct at NYC Metropolitan Opera House, leading the orchestra in a performanc
Sarah Caldwell becomes the first woman to conduct at NYC Metropolitan Opera House, leading the orchestra in a performance of "La Traviata"
"I Write the Songs" cover by Barry Manilow hits #1
"I Write the Songs" is a popular song written by Bruce Johnston. Barry Manilow's version reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1976 after spending two weeks atop the Billboard…
Bahamian-American actor Sidney Poitier (48) weds Canadian actress Joanna Shimkus
Bahamian-American actor Sidney Poitier (48) weds Canadian actress Joanna Shimkus
Events After
Air India Flight 855 crashes into the Arabian Sea less than two minutes after takeoff, killing all 213 people on board
Air India Flight 855 was a scheduled passenger flight from Bombay (now Mumbai), India, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
TV series "All Creatures Great and Small" debuts on BBC TV, based on the books by James Herriot, starring Robert Hardy a
TV series "All Creatures Great and Small" debuts on BBC TV, based on the books by James Herriot, starring Robert Hardy and Christopher Timothy
Bee Gees' album "Saturday Night Fever" goes #1; stays on top for 24 weeks
Bee Gees' album "Saturday Night Fever" goes #1; stays on top for 24 weeks
Sweden becomes the first nation in the world to ban aerosol sprays, due to their harmful effect on the earth's ozone lay
Sweden becomes the first nation in the world to ban aerosol sprays, due to their harmful effect on the earth's ozone layer
Novelist Danielle Steel (30) divorces Danny Zugelder after almost 3 years of marriage
Novelist Danielle Steel (30) divorces Danny Zugelder after almost 3 years of marriage
More from the 1970s
death
Erroll Garner dies
Erroll Garner dies
birth
Chai Jing is born
Chai Jing, Chinese journalist and environmental activist, known for chinese journalist and environmental activist, was born on 1976-01-01. Chai Jing is a Chinese journalist.
Charles "Chub" Feeney becomes the President of Major League Baseball's National League
Charles Stoneham "Chub" Feeney (August 31, 1921 – January 10, 1994) was an Irish-American front office executive in Major League Baseball.
Cigarette advertisements are banned from broadcast media in the US
Cigarette advertisements are banned from broadcast media in the US
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on May 9, 1977?
- The Hotel Polen fire occurred on 9 May 1977 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The conflagration destroyed the Hotel Polen (Hotel Poland), a five-story hotel in the centre of the city which had been built in 1891, as well as the furniture store on the ground level and a nearby bookstore. Many of the tourists staying at the hotel (of whom the majority were Swedes) jumped to their deaths trying to escape the flames.
- Why is Hotel Poland in Amsterdam destroyed by fire, 33 killed significant?
- The Hotel Polen fire occurred on 9 May 1977 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.