Panic at Picture Show.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 August 1911, Page 4

Panic at Picture Show.

STAMPEDR IX A PORTSMOUTH HALT;. A fire panic, which nearly ended in grave disaster, or-carred at the animated pivture entertainment at Victoria Hall, Portsmouth the other niL'-'.t, just prior to the exhibition of a. series of Coronation and Xaval Review pictures. r Plio hall was packed, over two thousand persons being present.

The first picture film caught fire, and the operator promptly closed the aperatures in front of tho cabinet situated over one of the main exits. He failed, however, in his effort to control t'ho flames, and liad t'o seek safety by leaping through the side door ol the cabinet.

"When the people saw the beilohl'np flames many veiled "Fire," ami there was an ugly stampede for the doors Some wore jammed, and many ladies, who formed the groat majority of the woro badly cruched, complaining of sprained 1 , wrists and abrasions. IJnts. umbrellas, macintoshes, and even shoes were torn from the wearers >an<l lost in the turmoi'. and many women fainted. The band kept playing till the lights were switched on, and then the people l-efr in an orderly fashion and were given passes for another night. The interior of the Cabinet was burnt out, and the operator escaped! with slight burns. By a curious eo-incide»ce an innnest was held the next dav upom a fif.teen-year-old l boy named Barry, whose knee was injured in tlw fata.l panic at the sniae hall two years ago. Barry died from lock-jaw.