SIXTY PERISH IN BERLIN FIRE

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5325, 11 February 1947, Page 5

SIXTY PERISH IN BERLIN FIRE

('Press slssti

da'nce hau tragedy MAJORITY DIE WHILE SEEKING BELONGINGS

— ^ y • — Rec. 9.30' v.m.)

BERLIN, Feb. 10. More than 60 persons, includi ng six British' soldiers, perished in a big fire which destroyed a dance hall at an amusement c-entre in Spandau, the suburb •in the British sector of Berlin. I odies are still being recovered. A fancy dress ball which British tioops attended was in progress when the fire, which troops helped to extinguish, broke out. A soldier aged 18 rescued a number of people, then perished in trying to save more. The fire was started by a spark in the roof, and the place was burned down in 15 minutes. Between 300 and -00 people attended. There wras only one exit and the dcorway was jajmmed with struggling, screaming women. Most of the victims perished in the cloakrooms when seeking their belongings. Several women were crushed to death. Those who rushed straight to the streets, abandoning coats, trudged homeward through snow in incongruus fancy dress. At least 40 bodies have been recvered from the debris. ' Two Bxdtish soldiers who escaped said the flames spread rapidly. Suddenly the whole ballroom ceiling - eemed to be on fir.e. Tlxere was a wild rush for the main entrance in .hich the crowd jammed. A British military fire brigade oined with the German firemen, but ihe severe cold froze the water in the hoses. • I