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Kentucky Governor Asked To Re-open Fatal Fire Investigation

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THIRTY-ONE YEARS AGO, MAY 27,1977, one of the most tragic fires in a public assembly took place.  The Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky (Cincinnati area) caught fire while it was fully occupied with more than 3,000 patrons and resulted in the deaths of 165 people.

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The cause of the fire was officially listed as from faulty aluminum wiring, but survivors of the fire, both patrons and employees, has always insisted that there were circumstances that pointed to the possibility that it was set.

On Saturday about 25 fire investigators from around the country met at Northern Kentucky University and went over all of the files pertaining to the investigation of the fire.  They have concluded that the case warrants re-opening for more examination of the evidence and witnesses. 

“The possibility of arson was never seriously considered, as evidenced by the complete lack of documentation showing how arson was ruled out,” they wrote.  They also said not all witnesses were interviewed and investigators showed “expectation bias” and did not follow up on all the evidence presented by the witnesses they did interview.

Today at noon a group of citizens representing the survivors’ organization will be taking a petition to Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear asking him to appoint a panel of independent experts to investigate again.  The request will be presented by Dave Brock, who was a busboy in the restaurant at the time of the fire.

WKRC Ch. 12 has a video report of this weekend’s conference:

For a story of the fire and the original investigation click HERE.

Posted by on October 20, 2008 • Filed under: investigations
  • LeAnn M

    It’s been 31 years and if it was electrical wiring that all the investigators and Stan Chesley proved to the BE the cause of my grandparents and 163 other’s tragic Deaths or if the mafia (history shows there has been a connection from decades before) was behind the fire….what good is drudging up new evidence going to do? If there was someone, and not something responsible for the fire they are probably dead. And what are the chances thet any new evidence or old evidence actually being able to prove otherwise do except open old wounds and bring back memories of the worst nightmare of my families lives?

    I have finially had closure for one of the worst experiences I have (or God willing will ever have) in my life and now I (and others) are being asked to relive this all over again.

    165 people died tragically and are laid to rest. Please let them be. Finding a diferrent reason for this tragredy is not going to change anything. It’s been 31 years, let it go.

    I can see the numerous companies and corporations named in the original lawsuit come back and demand that those families who received financial compensation for their loss give the monies back because they were wrongly accused and held responsible for the deaths.

    I can only see problems if this is persued. Let the victums and their famiies rest in peace.

    LeAnn
    Cincinnati, Ohio

  • LeAnn M

    It’s been 31 years and if it was electrical wiring that all the investigators and Stan Chesley proved to the BE the cause of my grandparents and 163 other’s tragic Deaths or if the mafia (history shows there has been a connection from decades before) was behind the fire….what good is drudging up new evidence going to do? If there was someone, and not something responsible for the fire they are probably dead. And what are the chances thet any new evidence or old evidence actually being able to prove otherwise do except open old wounds and bring back memories of the worst nightmare of my families lives?

    I have finially had closure for one of the worst experiences I have (or God willing will ever have) in my life and now I (and others) are being asked to relive this all over again.

    165 people died tragically and are laid to rest. Please let them be. Finding a diferrent reason for this tragredy is not going to change anything. It’s been 31 years, let it go.

    I can see the numerous companies and corporations named in the original lawsuit come back and demand that those families who received financial compensation for their loss give the monies back because they were wrongly accused and held responsible for the deaths.

    I can only see problems if this is persued. Let the victums and their famiies rest in peace.

    LeAnn
    Cincinnati, Ohio