FATAL THEATRE FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 299, 12 May 1911, Page 5

FATAL THEATRE FIRE.

■ « LAFAYETTE'S DEATH. LION BLOCKS THE EXIT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, May 10. An eighth body has been found, and the search continues. Lafayette was a well-known American illusionist. His body was found beside the charred remains of his favorite horse, which apparently lie was endeavoring to rescue. When the stage was ablaze a lion went mad and blocked the exit. The stage hands state that Lafayette was killed while making an attempt to remove the lion. CAUSED BY A LANTERN FALLING, A MANAGER'S PRESENCE OF MIND. London, Mav 10. It is known that nine have been killed in the Edinburgh musical hall lire, and it is feared there are more fatalities. The fire arose through a paper lantern falling from the wings into the scenery during an . elaborate illusion'called "The Lion's Bride," ending in a harem scene, The lantern's fall caused a shower of sparks, and the whole scene was instantly ablaze. The audience at first believed it was part of Lafayette's design of bombs and fireworks, hence there was little panic. The manager ran before the curtain and asked the orchestra to play the National Anthem, the leader conducting from the stage. lie was afterwards killed. The theatre was emptied in four minutes. The actors and stage hands meanwhile fought the flames, impeded I>y a madclened lion and other animals, until the whole place was like a furnace, when the safety curtain fell inwards, demolishing the stage. Hundreds of territorials, leaving an alarm parade, assisted the police and firemen and prevented the fire spreading to the thickly-populated tenements around the theatre.

Lafayette was seen outside the stage door, but returned to save the animals. Tin 1 dead include a seventeen-year-old girl. A little hoy playing the part of a teddy hear was found enclosed in the scorched hear.

Lafayette's company numbered sixtv, many of whom ran into the streets in their stage dress. A negro was found wandering ahout terror-stricken. Strenuous efforts will he made to rebuild the theatre in time for the command performance. MESSAGE FROM ROYALTY. London, May 10. The King and Queen have condoled with the families of the Edinburgh' fire victims and those injured.