EDINBURGH MUSIC HALL FIRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1125, 12 May 1911, Page 5

EDINBURGH MUSIC HALL FIRE.

NINE BODIES RECOVERED. A MADDENED LION BLOCKS THE STAGE EXIT. FIREWORKS DISPLAY. By Telegraph—Press Association-Oopyricht London, May 10. Nino dead bodies have been discovered among the ruins of the Empire Theatre, at Edinburgh, and more fatalities aro feared. Mr. Lafayette was a well-known American illusionist. His body was found beside tho charred remains of his favourite horse, which he had apparently been endeavouring to rescue. When the stage became ablaze the lion went mad, and blocked the exit. The stage hands state that Mr. Lafayette was killed while making an attempt to remove the lion. The fire was caused by a paper lantern falling from the wings into the scenery during an elaborate illusion called "The Lion's Bride," ending in a harem scene. This caused a shower of sparks, and the whole of the scenery was instantly ablaze. The audience at first believed that the fire was part of Mr. Lafayette's design of bombs and fireworks; hence there was little panic. The manager ran before the curtain and asked tho orchestra to play tho National Anthem. This was done, the leader conducting from the. stage. Tho leader was afterwards killed. 'The theatre was emptied in four minutes. The actors and stage-hands meanwhile fought the flames. They were, impeded by a maddened lion and other animals until the place was like a furnace, when they sought safety. The curtain fell inwards, demolishing the stage. Hundred? of Territorials who were leaving an alarm parade assisted the police and firemen, and prevented the fire spreading to adjacent thickly, populated tenements. Mr. Lafayette was seen outside the stage door, but returned to the building with (he object of saving tho animals. The dead include a seventeen-year-old girl and a little boy, who had been playing tho part of a Toddy-bear. The body of tho boy was found enclosed in his scorched bearskin. The Lafayette Company numbered sixty. Many ran into tho streets in their stage dress. A negro was found wandering about, terror-stricken. Strenuous efforts will bo made to rebuild iho theatre in time for tho command performance. The King and Queen have condoled with the families of those who lost their lives and those injured in the Edinburgh fire.