Boyer was only 4 when he and his mother and older sister Melba were sadly killed during a fire disaster at Iroquois Theater in Chicago, Illinois on December 30, 1903. The fire was caused by a constructed gas ceiling light that ignited on the stage curtain, the gates were locked to keep ushers from sneaking in researved seats, the exits were locked, the roof was barricated to prevent snow from caving in, -600 people lost their lives by being burned beyond recognition, asphyxiated in their balcony seats, trampled by panicked crowds, fell in an unfinished fire escape in an alley.