The fire at the Stadshotellet (City Hotel) in Borås occurred in June 1978 during a high-school graduation celebration held within the hotel premises. The incident resulted in the deaths of 20 young people, with approximately 50–60 others sustaining injuries, primarily due to smoke inhalation. The event is regarded as one of the most serious indoor fire disasters in Sweden prior to the late twentieth century.

The fire was reported to have originated in the hotel during the late evening while a large number of adolescents were gathered for celebratory festivities. It was later assessed that the most likely cause was a discarded cigarette, which ignited combustible materials within the venue. The rapid development of smoke and heat severely compromised visibility and escape routes, leading to panic and entrapment among those present. Many victims were overcome by toxic smoke before evacuation could be completed.

Subsequent investigations identified deficiencies in fire safety arrangements, including inadequate means of escape and insufficient control of ignition sources during crowded events. The tragedy prompted significant public concern and contributed to later reforms in Swedish fire safety regulations, particularly in relation to hotels, public assembly buildings, and youth events. The Borås fire has since been cited in academic and professional literature as a formative case in the development of modern fire safety and crowd management practices in Sweden.