Built to Burn: The Untold Conspiracy of the Beverly Hills Supper Club - The Finale

2025-08-03

Episode 72 Was it arson—or was it a tragic accident? In the final installment of our five-part series, we walk through the evidence from the perspective of a fire protection engineer. We’ll dissect the fire’s behavior, ignition theories, the official investigation, and what was left out—and we’ll finally ask the big question: does the science match the story we were told? From code violations and wiring issues to survivor testimony and suspected cover-ups, this episode brings it all together. If you've be...

Episode 72

Was it arson—or was it a tragic accident?

In the final installment of our five-part series, we walk through the evidence from the perspective of a fire protection engineer. We’ll dissect the fire’s behavior, ignition theories, the official investigation, and what was left out—and we’ll finally ask the big question: does the science match the story we were told?

From code violations and wiring issues to survivor testimony and suspected cover-ups, this episode brings it all together. If you've been waiting for the fire nerd deep dive... this is it.

Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated

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Sources:

Inside the Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire by Ron Elliott – A detailed account of the tragedy, drawing from survivor stories, official records, and historical context to paint a vivid picture of the events leading up to the fire.
The Beverly Hills Supper Club: The Untold Story Behind Kentucky's Worst Tragedy by Robert D. Webster – A deep investigative dive into the fire, including previously unreleased documents and interviews that challenge the official narrative and explore allegations of corruption and cover-up.
“Tragedy in Kentucky” by Richard L. Best, Fire Journal, Vol. 72, No. 1 (1978), pp. 18–22, 27–35, 41–44.
Summary of the official NFPA investigation into the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire, including analysis of code violations, fire development, and survivor accounts.
Personal interview with Shirley Turner (formerly Shirley Baker), who worked at the Beverly Hills Supper Club and was present the night of the fire. Conducted in July 2025.
NKY History Hour. (2021, Jan 13). Forbidden Fruit: The Story Behind the Fiery... [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq282R9ohSQ