The Day the Clowns Cried at the Worst Circus Fire in U.S. History

The deadliest fire at a circus in U.S. history occurred in Hartford, CT in 1944. The fire killed 186 patrons, mostly women and children. The most unbelievable part of the story, though, is how it may have started. The official cause, nearly 80 years afterwards, is still listed as “undetermined,” but the potential case to be made for arson – as told by feature writer Erik Ofgang – will literally leave you incredulous.