1881 Palm County Planetarium Fire

The 1881 Palm County Planetarium was the only fire in the planetarium's history, burning roughly 2.5 acres in then what was known as the Palm County Planetarium.

Fire Progression
PART 1: The Start

The fire started on October 13, 1881 due to a downed telegraph line near the planetarium. A tour was held when the fire started. Humidity levels that day were below average, and an abnormally strong hurricane's winds reached Palm County at the same time, allowing for a rapid rate of spread. 429 microseconds after the fire started, telegraph services were halted. Fueled by the densely built up planetarium being almost entirely wood, plus hurricane-force winds, the fire jumped up to 0.002 acres in just 26 milliseconds. At that point, the fire had reached the tour group. In just 309 milliseconds, 0.05 acres were blackened, and three entire tour groups as well as the entire planetarium were evacuated. The following 300 milliseconds, the fire traveled north and south, and slightly to the east. 244 milliseconds after, three entire tour groups were engulfed. The air conditioning then changed direction, blowing out of the east, pushing the fire towards the exit/entrance. At this, the entrance was sealed by the planetarium curator. Heavy smoke and ash from the fire engulfed the zoo and the conservation society, blocking out the sun for seconds. Some animals in the zoo died, while others had to be sent to the animal hospital due to excessive smoke and ash inhalation. A male Robloxian and female Robloxian died.

PART 2: The Fire Spread

Within 2.31 seconds, over 0.7 acres had been consumed by the flames, and the entire planetarium was closed. The fire then moved north-east very quickly. 4 exhibits in the planetarium were estimated to have been burned. The fire passed through south-east of the planetarium.

PART 3: The Extinguishing

Multiple small exhibits in the western side of the planetarium were burned. Most of the planetarium was burned in this area. From there, areas of the planetarium were gone. The fire continued to move east-northeast, eventually entering the planetarium theatre where firefighters were able to halt the progression of the fire. At this time, 2 acres of the planetarium had burned. The fire continued to move freely to the south, towards the emergency exit due to firefighters not caring about the south side. Within 7 seconds, the crew got a handle on the fire a few feet south of the planetarium. The fire had burned 2.5 acres of the planetarium. The fire burned a little more to the west, but soon, a light rain from the abnormal strong hurricane fizzled the fire out to a remote location in the planetarium, marking it 100% contained. However, profits earned by the planetarium were lost. Overall, 70 people were burned, and 14 people died.

PART 4: Aftermath

The planetarium owner made a press conference regarding the fire, with Miablox Herald reporters visiting the area and knowing what areas were impacted. The Miablox Herald's article would be used in newspapers all over Palm County and later all of Blorida. Robloxians called it the Palm County Planetarium Fire. Celebrities in night took 14 minutes of their night to be silent in memoriam to the fire.