"THIS IS A ROTTEN BUSINESS."

Shannon News, 15 May 1925, Page 4

"THIS IS A ROTTEN BUSINESS."

The fire started , so far as can be ascertained, on an upstairs floor at the back of the building. It spread along the room and down to the apartments 9 underneath. In this upstairs roomnvere all the Royal Groups which have proved so interesting to visitors, and they have been destroyed. Practically nothing here escaped the flames. ■ ■ . *„ nm Salvage men came staggering from the building carrying wax effigies over their shoulders and bearing pictures from the valuable Gainsborough collection which was housed in the building. Constable Robertson, the wax policeman who stood at the door ot the entrance hall, and who has been addressed by many thousands of deceived visitors, was one of the first 'immates' of the building to be brought to safety. Even the members of the real police force on duty conld not restrain their pleasure when they saw their 'comrade in arms being- carried out. The Highlander, the Lifeguardsman, the Jack Tar, the Russian Cossack, the Boy Scouts and the Girl Guide quickly followed, and then a cheer came from the assembled thousands when the salvage men came out carrving a large cage in which was the renowned Mme. Tussaud's parrot. The parrot was found lying at the bottom of its case stupefied as a result of the smoke and the intense heat, but after a few moments in the open air it revived and began to take a lively interest in the proceedings. Then it startled everone by remarking "This is rotten business."