DESTRUCTION OF THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 3882, 3 August 1875, Page 3

DESTRUCTION OF THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

The Princess’s Theatre, which has been more than once threatened with destruction by fire, was burned to the ground this morning. The fire was first discovered by Sergeant Anderson, at about 1,20 a. m., he observing smoke issuing from the roof of part of the vestibule. He was in the company of a man named Gallagher, who had been assisting him to the watch-house with a disorderly prisoner, and Gallagher at once ran off to give the alarm at the watch-tower. The sergeant then discovered that one of the doors of the lower vestibule facing High street was open, and on entering he found the partition in a mass of flames. He at once had the alarm given to those in the Provincial Hotel, The door in question, on examination, showed unquestionably that it had not been locked that evening. The last person in the Theatre was Edmond Huntley, machinist, and he states that on leaving at about 12.15 everything appeared to be right. Before the alarm was given from the tower the flames had a complete hold of the buildings; and although the Brigade turned out in an almost incredibly short time, the>r efforts to save the Theatre were unavailing. The flames, fanned by the wind, spread through the building rapidly, and at one time there was every appearance of a very serious conflagration, the Occidental, the Provincial, and Wain’s Hotel being all threatened with destruction. The newlyerected Council Chambei—a brick addition—alone saved the Corporation offices. Manse street entirely must have been sacrificed bad it not been for a fortunate change of the wind; and how the Shades wore saved seems almost a mystery. Had these wine vaults once succumbed to the fiery element, there is no telling where the fire would have ended. As it was, there was a very strong body of flume, and too much prase cannot be awarded to the members of the Five Brigade for the plucky manner in which they combatted with the fire. No less than eight j# aof water were directed against the tire at one time, viz' , one from the right-of-way between the theatre and Boss and Glendining’s new warehouse, a couple from High street, one from the hydrant in the Provincial Yards, one from Manse street, and three from the Provincial Sale Yards, where Lieut. Hobbs was in command. The hose was here continually keptgoing, though there were one or two bursts. When the sale-yards appeared in imminent danger all the horses and vehicles were removed; but it was averted by . Constable Carter At great peril rushing into tho flames and tearing down a couple of loose-boxes. Within three quarters of an hour after the fire was discovered the Brigade had it completely under control. The cause of the fire ia attributed to accident, and as it apparently broke out in the vestibule bar, it is surmised that a lighted match was thrown on the floor and allowed to smoulder.

Mr Sibbald, owner of the Provincial Hotel and of the Princess’s, estimates the value of the property owned by him and destroyed at L 4,00 L6OO of which is covered by a policy in the Transatlantic Company, Messrs Steele and Keogh, lessees, who lose everything, set down their loss at L3OO and Mr Ward, the property-man, his at Lso—both uninsured. Mr Harrell estimates his loss at L2OO, he losing a number of books, printing, mauuseripts of plays, wigs, swords, stage jewellery, and dresses. Most of his dresses, however, were at t his dwelling-house. Mr Willis, the scenic artist,* has most of the scenery painted by him destroyed, but there were no chemicals on the stage. He, however, loses all ms brushes, paints, &c. Wo also understand that the leasees lose L4O odd in money, the proceeds of last night’s takings being in a chest in the office theatre. We had almost forgotten to mention that a strong body of police under Commissioner Weldon and Inspector Mallard kept a somewhat orderly crowd at a distance from the fire.

We hear that Mr Sibbald intends rebuilding the theatre immediately.