PICTURE THEATRE FIRE

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27626, 5 April 1955, Page 11

PICTURE THEATRE FIRE

39 Belgians Killed (Rec. 10 p.m.) SCLESSIN (Belgium), April 4. Police today were still trying to identify the bodies of 39 persons, including 20 children, who perished in a cinema fire in Sclessin last night. A police officer said the bodies were so horribly mutilated that it would be practically impossible to identify them. "We are counting on families to help by letting us know if anyone is missing, or by giving some details which may help us to identify the dead,” he

The fire, which was the worst of its kind in living memory in Belgium, swept through the cinema packed with workers from the nearby steelpiants, and their families, in seconds. The audience of 200 rushed panicstricken for the only visible exit, which was very soon blocked tty the flames. About 50 persons injured in the blaze were rushed to a makeshift hospital in a schoolroom.

Boy Killed In Bakery.—Franco Ramella, aged 13, fell head first into an automatic dough-kneading machine in a Turin bakery today and was crushed to death.—Turin, April 3. Pope's Palm Sunday Blessing.—A sea of palm branches and fluttering handkerchiefs in St. Peter’s Square greeted Pope Plus XII when he appeared at his study balcony todwv (Palm Sunday) to bless a vast crown which Included many pilgrims.—Vatican City, April 3.