CINEMA DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1930, Page 5

CINEMA DISASTER

FORTH ER PARTICULARS

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Oopyr igh t j.

(Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) SHANGHAI, 31 arch 20. Additional details of the kineimi fire at Chang:-bun, Kirin, disclose a fused electric wire ignited the flimsy makeshift structure during the performance. It is believed 120 persons perished, (35 bodies having been recovered, and many more are still among the ruins. At the first sign of the fire, the large audience stampeded and there was a terrible panic, rushing into a single narrow passage, the sole exit-. 3lost of them were women and children. many of whom were crushed to death. A stiff breeze was blowing and soon the building was a mass of flames, 3lore than a hundred were trapped within the blazing furnace. An antiquated fire brigtdo was unable to do anything. Harrowing scenes followed, thousands of Chinese shrieking and wailing as the, fire completed its terrible work. The police and militia were compelled to resort to the severest tactics to prevent relatives lynching the Chinese proprietor and operator, who eventually escaped, The recovery of the bodies was a ghastly business. 'Thousands of Chinese were hovering on the outskirts and others were engaged in digging tlu> ruins examining the- charred bodies.

it is understood that warrants have been issued for tiie arrest of the proprietor and operator.