[chris]

A fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Kentucky in 1977 killed 165 people and burned for two days.

The club had been expanded repeatedly between 1970 and 1976, creating a sprawling complex of function rooms and service areas. The dinner hall was overcrowded. An employee warned patrons about the fire, but many continued eating. About four minutes later, the lights failed and the hall was engulfed as toxic smoke spread.

The fire began as a smoldering fire above the Zebra Room's drop ceiling. When employees opened the room's door after smelling smoke, oxygen entered the space, triggering a flashover and rapid fire spread.