FIRE TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 141, 16 June 1936, Page 9

FIRE TRAGEDY

HYDERABAD CINEMA

PANIC-STRICKEN OCCUPANTS

AT LEAST 20 DEATHS

"Jalted Tress Association—liy Electric Telecrupii—Copyright (Received June 16, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, June 15. The Bombay correspondent of "The Times" states that at least 20 persons, mostly women and children, were incinerated and many injured in a Are at the Motimahal Cinema, Hyderabad, which originated in the projecting cabin and spread with lightning rapidity to a wooden balcony reserved for women, who rushed to the exitg. There they were cut off by flames which were enveloping the staircase. Some leapt to the auditorium, where many were crushed in a panic-stricken surge to the doors. The balcony collapsed, its occupants being burned in the debris. The theatre speedily became a roaring furnace, and was completely burnt out. Fourteen bodies which were recovered were recognisable only by jewellery. The rescue work was hampered by enormous crowds who were almost driven mad by the screams of the dying. Relatives of the Nizam later visited the ruins and criticised the inadequacy of protection against fire. They ordered the Police Commissioner henceforth not. to permit buildings to be used as cinemas unless the escape of the audience is ensured.