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

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

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