A FIRE-EATER IN CHICAGO

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27690, 21 June 1955, Page 5

A FIRE-EATER IN CHICAGO

Surprising Result In Advertising Test (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) CHICAGO, June 19. A Chicago furniture company hired a professional fire-eater today to demonstrate the fire-resisting qualities of its wares. The fire-eater, a Samoan named Uluale Tavui, was to have performed tomorrow at the opening of the American furniture mart show. Now he will not. A crowd gathered in the mart today to watch Tavui practice blowing fire on a sample table. He took a huge swig of kerosene from a bottle and blew it out past a small torch held near his mouth. There was a muffled roar and a tremendous ball of smoke. Flame filled the hall. The crowd jumped back. “Get that guy out of here,” someone shouted. The test moved outdoors. Tavui set up shop near the Lake Shore drive entrance of the mart. Tavui took aim again, and a threefoot ball of flame bounded off the table. On the drive, cars braked and bumpers bumped as drivers turned to watch. ‘‘What are you using, Uluale?” asked the worried exhibitor. ‘‘l shift to petrol,” said Tavui calmly. The exhibitor gave the table a quick check. Apparently satisfied with its flame resistance, he declared the test •■•ver and dismissed Tavui.