THE BURNING OF A THEATRE AND LOSS OF LIFE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1632, 10 September 1887, Page 1

THE BURNING OF A THEATRE AND LOSS OF LIFE.

London, Sept. 6. A most disastrous fire occurred in the Exeter Theatre during the performance last night. On the fire breaking out a terrible panic arose, and in the rush from the bnilding the exits became blocked. Over a hundred victims were crushed to death. The victims were chiefly those who had occupied seals in the gallery. Up to the present time 130 bodies have been recovered, but it is feared they do not represent the total loss of life, Later.

Two hundred lives are supposed to have been lost in theatre fire, which broke out in the fourth act while “ Romany Rye ” was being played. The gallery had only one exit. The majority of the victims were adults, two-thirds being women. Most of the bodies were found in a charred masses. The building was totally destroyed. Later particulars of the fire at Exeter Theatre show that the outbreak was caused by some gauze scenery. At the time there were eight hundred people in the building. Men, women, and children were wedged immovably in the gallery exit, and were overtaken by the flames, In the terrible strugg'e which took place to get out some were literally tom to pieces. The mortality was almost confined to the occupants of the gallery. Many noble attempts at rescue are recorded,

Btpt. 7. The details of the disaster in the Exeter 'Hiratre are most appalling. In the search among the mins of the buildings, a mass of charred remains was found wedged on the staircase leading from the gallery. All the performers were saved. Later. Further details of the Exeter catastrophe show that the scenery look fire just as the drop scene was being lowered, The side escaped, and the draught had the effect of causing the fire to burst through the gallery portion of the auditorium. A fearful struggle took place in the pit, the whole of the occupants of which escaped, Sixty of them were injured in the struggle, and one has since succumbed to his injuries. Dead bodies blocked the stairway leading from the gallery, and before the flames reached them scores of people were suffocated, and their bodies afterwards burnt to cinders. The scene amongst the spectators outside who had friends and relatives in the burning building was a terrible one. Thirty unknown bodies have been recovered, besides a heap of charred remains. In many instances children were found charred with their arms encircling their mothers’ necks. The carpenters in the city are busy coffining the remains, and the Town Council are arranging a public funeral. Her Majesty the Queen has sent a message of cendolence to the bereaved sufferers. The Press are making strong representations on the generally faulty construction of public buildings. Mr H. Matthews, the Home Secretary, has announced that the Government will legislate immediately for the prevention of such calamities.