DISASTROUS FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 305, 19 May 1911, Page 5

DISASTROUS FIRES.

OUTBREAK ix LONDON. SOME TIIR3LLIXG ESCAPES. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 18, 9.20 p.m. London, May 18. A fire broke out in the Hotel Cecil court, in St. Martin's lane, being caused by an explosion in the basement, where millions of feet of cineamtograph films were stored. A man was blown out of a shop above. In a few seconds the court was a seething mass of flames. The bookshop opposite was consumed, and fears were entertained regarding the safety of a blocks of flats surrounding the court. Many residents were cut off. The crowd below hurriedly strapped short ladders together, pending the arrival of firemen. There were many thrilling escapes. Some of the women, crawled from their rooms to the narrow parapets. Others flung themselves into the arms of the crowd below. Five persons were taken to the hospital. RUSSIAN VILLAGE DESTROYED. SK HUNDRED HOUSES GO. Received 18, 9.20 p.m. St. Petersburg, May 18. The village of Dyvin, in the Grodno province, containing 600 houses, including a school and hospital, were destroyed by fire. Two persons were killed.