FIRE IN A PICTURE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2408, 13 March 1915, Page 8

FIRE IN A PICTURE THEATRE

Operator's box destroyed. (Bar Teleemph.—tiess Association.'; Auckland, March 12. A fire broke out in the operating box of the Quaen's Theatre .this afternoon. There was a- fair crowd in the house at the time, and the glare which announced the fire came with startling suddenness.

The theatre officials kept their heads, however, and the pianist (a lady) showed great presence of mind by continuing to play throughout.

In the succeeding few irinutes some of the more timid people in the audience made an immediate rush fdr the doors. In the meantime the Haines had caught the-films and machine spools.

The operator: Mr. George Dyer, was attending to the rewinding • gear of a separate machine when the fire started. He immediately tried to bring a patent fire extinguisher into operation, but the attempt was without ayail. , The operating box was built of asbestos, so the flames could; not very well extend to the theatre proper. Closing the door, Dyor proceeded to fight the fire single-handed. He was very badly burned about the hands and face, and was in an exhausted and fainting condition, though still doing his beat to beat down the flames when help arrived. The damage by fire was confined to the operating room,- but a considerable volume of • water found its • way down the stairs, doing , some damage to the walls, carpets, and furnishings. <