GREAT FIRE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 16, 29 October 1938, Page 7

GREAT FIRE.

IN HEART OF MARSEILLES. PANIC-STRICKEN SHOP WORKERS (United Press Association—Copyright.) . (Received This Day, 1.55 p.m.) MARSEILLES, October 28. Six are known to be dead and 45 critically injured in one of the greatest fires of modern Europe, which devovu’ed the heart of the Marseilles shopping and hotel areas. The damage is estimated at millions of pounds. Five acres of buildings, in two blocks surrounding the city’s main street, the world-famous Canebiere, were destroyed. The fire began in the famous store, Nouvelles Galaries, from which 300 employees became panic-stricken and jammed the doors. Several were injured, and it is not known how many were trapped on the upper floors. Four girls jumped from third-storey windows. One was killed.

The building was an inferno within half an hour, and the brigades were unable to approach closer than 200 feet because of the heat.

The flames licked 40 yards across the street and set fire to three hotels, including Denouaille’s, at which M. Daladier and a number of Ministers were staying.

TROOPS CALLED OUT. BUILDINGS BEING VACATED. (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) PARIS, October 28. A message from Marseilles 1 states that it is feared that 20 shop girls perished in a fire which spread over a wide area of the central city. Troops have been called out and the buildings are being evacuated.