A catastrophic fire erupted at the Theatre Royal in Exeter, resulting in an unprecedented death toll of 186 individuals, making it the deadliest building fire in the UK’s recorded history. The tragedy unfolded on a night when the theatre was packed with patrons attending a performance of 'The Lights O' London'. It was during the second act when the fire ignited, reportedly from a gas light that ignited flammable scenery. The dense smoke and quick-spreading flames turned a night of entertainment into sheer horror as theatergoers realized the dire situation.

Many victims perished due to a lack of adequate safety measures in the building. Eyewitness accounts highlighted the confusion and panic that ensued as attendees sought escapes that were either blocked or non-existent. The primary exits became bottlenecked, trapping many inside. The chaotic scene was exacerbated by faulty fire alarms and the inadequacy of the fire brigade's response at the time, as they arrived late and ill-prepared. The community mourned the immense loss, and the aftermath prompted urgent discussions about fire safety standards and building regulations across the UK.

In the wake of the disaster, surviving family members of the victims received compensation, and a public inquiry was conducted to investigate the causes of such a devastating incident. Fire safety standards in theatres were significantly revised, leading to improvements in emergency planning and regulations, which mandated that venues be equipped with multiple exits and better firefighting apparatus. This tragic incident became a wake-up call for the need for stringent safety regulations in public buildings, influencing future policies in fire safety across the nation.