KIRIN CINEMA FIRE.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17975, 21 March 1930, Page 7

KIRIN CINEMA FIRE.

120 PERSONS PERISH

TERRIBLE PANIC ENSUES

HARROWING SCENES

United Press Assn.- —Elec. Tel.— Copyright. (Received March 21, 12.i0 p.m.)

SHANGHAI. March 2 0

Additional details of Ihe cinema lire at Changchun, Kirin, disclose that a fused electric wire ignited the flimsy make-shift structure during a performance.

It is believed that 120 persons perished. Sixty-five bodies have been recovered, and many more arc still among the ruins.

At the first sign of Are the large audience stampeded in terrible- panic, rushing the single narrow passage, which was the sole exit. Most were women and children, many of whom were crushed to death. A stiff breeze was blowing, and soon the building was a mass of flames. More than 100 were trapped within the blazing furnace. The antiquated fire brigade was unable -to do anything. Harrowing scenes followed, thousands of Chinese shrieking and wailing as the fire completed its terrible work.

The police and militia were compelled to resort to the severest -tactics to prevent relatives lynching the Chinese proprietor and the operator, who eventually escaped. The recovery of the bodies was a ghastly business, thousands of Chinese hovering on Die outskirts, while other; were engaged in digging the ruins and examining the charred bodies. It is understood that warrants have been issued for the arrest of the proprietor and operator.