The Cleveland Clinic fire was a major structure fire at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio on May 15, 1929. It started in the basement of the hospital and it was caused by nitrocellulose x-ray film that ignited when an exposed light bulb was too close to the film., causing poisonings and two separate explosions. The fire claimed 123 lives,^[2] including that of one of the founders, Dr. John Phillips.^[3] The first explosion came at a few seconds past 11:30AM; a clock on the third floor balcony stopped at that time. Despite the heavy loss of life, firemen estimated the property damage at only $50,000. Policeman Ernest Staab was killed by the gas while rescuing 21 victims.^[2]

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland Clinic fire of 1929