THE FIRE IN THE RUSSIAN CIRCUS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2017, 15 February 1883, Page 2

THE FIRE IN THE RUSSIAN CIRCUS.

* The loss of life by the burning of the circus at Berditchev is not so great as was at first expected. It is believed 150 persons perished. The fire broke out towards the end of the performance, and it was caused by the careless handling of fireworks. The stage curtain became ignited, and the stalls and roof. The members of the orchestra were the first victims. The audience, numbering 800, rushed to the front doors, which opened inwards. The crowd pressed forward, and they could not be opened. They then made a rush for two sidedoors, both of which were found nailed up, compelling the people to take to the windows, from which many sprang to the street. The fire brigade arrived within half-an-hour, but it was impossible to extinguish the flames, as the water in the tanks was frozen. The fire lasted two hours. An eye-witness states that when the doors were finally opened a mass of burnin» persons was visible within the house) and the properties of the circus were all destroyed. The ice broke while the fire brigade were crossing the liver, thus preventing them from reaching the fire more promptly. It is estimated that 90 men and 120 women, besides 60 children, lost their lives. The victims include the Colonel of Police and Vice-President of the Course (?). The audience consisted mainly of Jews. The person who caused the fire perished, also two clowns, believed to be Englishmen. Yesterday a man, whose wife and three children were among the victims, stabbed a senior member of the Merchants’ Guild, in the chest, and then tried to cut his own throat. It is supposed the merchant sacrificed the assailant’s wife and children in order to effect his own escape from the burning building. ° The circus was located in a wooden structure. The horses running about wildly increased the confusion. It is stated now that 400 persons were suffocated, crushed, or burnt to death.