Fire at the Bazar de la Charité Gouache with white highlights, signed in the bottom left-hand corner, 28 x 38 cm On 4 May 1897, in Paris, on Rue Jean-Goujon, the 13th edition of the Bazar de la Charité took place, a high-society event organised by the Catholic aristocracy in aid of charity. In a wooden and canvas structure erected for the occasion, around 1,200 people, mainly women from high society dressed in flammable gowns, jostled amongst the stalls and attractions. At around 4.15 pm, during a cinematograph screening, the ether vapours caught fire. The fire spread at lightning speed through the papier-mâché and fabric décor. Panic reigned: exits were poorly signposted and doors were blocked. Within minutes, the inferno had engulfed the building. The death toll was terrible: 125 to 126 people died, including 118 women, amongst whom was the Duchess of Alençon, sister of Empress Sissi. This disaster left its mark on the history of Paris and led to improvements in fire safety.