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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 235, 30 March 1866, Page 3

A fearful scene occurred at the Lyceum Theatre, Sunderland, on the night of December 28, during the performance of the pantomime, JRobin Mood. A gutta percha tube connecting the wing lights became detached, and the gas escaping ignited, and a loud explosion took place, the flame shooting up to the top of the stage. A rush was made to the door by the audience, who thought the the theatre was on fire, but they were stopped by seeing Miss Louisa Eicardo, who was engaged as Columbine Watteau, rush on to the stage enveloped in flames. She had been standing amongst a group collected at the wing, waiting her turn to go on, when the flames caught her muslin skirt. She shrieked and rushed on in the middle of the scene, where her lather was playing as clown, but she was thrown down by one of the stage carpenters. Mr. £ell, the lessee, wrapped his top-coat round the poor girl, and the flames were beaten out. The performance then proceeded. Miss Eicardo was removed home and died in the afternoon of the 29th from her injuries and the shook to her system, fche wrs daughter of the $tm&> My Sicasdo.