The Deadliest Fire in Iowa History - St. Elizabeth Hospital - THE CONCLUSION

Episode 53

This is the conclusion of our coverage of the horrific fire that claimed 41 lives at the St. Elizabeth Hospital and Davenport, Iowa in January 1950. The fire, wtill the deadliest fire in state history, was set by a patient at the hospital and this week we cover her confession and the subsequent legal proceedings. We also take a look at the heroes that stepped up to help save lives during the fire, including some very unlikely heroes. Ultimately 40 patients and one nurse lost their lives. Those 40 patients were at St. Elizabeth Hospital for help and their tragic deaths have helped write the fire and building codes for these types of occupancies with the intent to prevent another disaster like this one. These women that died helped us far more than we ever helped them by showing us how we needed to do better to protect heathcare occupancies. 

This podcast is a true crime podcast about arson and criminal fires. Listener discretion is recommended. 

Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated 

Be sure to check out Season 2 of the You Should Be Here Podcast for the limited series, Or No by Fire Eyes Media. This this collaborative podcasters-give-back series is to bring awareness to and stand against domestic violence. All proceeds will go to a charity taking a stand against domestic violence and human trafficking. Your support of this project is so greatly appreciated. You deserve a safe love. 

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-should-be-here/id1779150686

or on Spotify: 

https://open.spotify.com/show/2VqlmgQxwn55tdY7td9IM9?si=e19fffdc24064f7b&nd=1&dlsi=e6920c0f7e4c4d65

Listen to our episode with our friends over at Sasquatch and Sourdough where we talk more about the fire in Centralia, Pennsylvania that's been burning for over 62 years. 

Listen on Youtube:

https://youtu.be/e2rq340s6c8?si=t2-hEsbC-V0DTdhs

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Source List:

For a complete list of sources, see the source list for Episode 52. Additional sources used for this episode are below.

https://www.wheelanpressly.com/obituary/Elnora-Epperly

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-obituary-for-deirdre-e-epp/77063117/

https://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1950/di1950-01-13.pdf