What was up with everyone just standing around while the building became increasingly engulfed in fire? Heaven forbid we have to jump 20 feet into the water. That sequence seemed like it went on for an eternity--and they were all standing there in the dining room watching the fire come closer and closer. I kept yelling at the screen, "Jump ALREADY!"
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The harbour was known to be a cesspool, ridden with disease. Those that could swim were not too keen on getting into it. And those that couldn't, well, I would imagine that was a lot of people. In the book it is also explained how the exits are either blocked or clogged with the mass rush of people. If I recall correctly the stairwells were said to be narrow and people were killing themselves falling over each other to get down them.
You see how the coolest minds are those who wait it out to see how it plays out while always having their exit planned. The kind of minds that prevail in business and life, generally.
That scene in the book is one of the most memorable chapters I've ever read and I thought it was done very well on screen. Though, not first seeing the movie maybe I'm wrong.