THE EXETER THEATRE FIRE.

Evening Star, Issue 7343, 15 October 1887, Page 2

THE EXETER THEATRE FIRE.

The Theatre Royal at Exeter was totally destroyed by fire on the evening of September 5. "Romany Rye" was under performance, and the pit and gallery were packed. The pic,ce proceeded all rgl t till near the end of the third art, at about half-past ten o'clock, when, as one of the characters was finishing his lines the drop-scene suddenly fell in front of him. There was some laughter in tlae house at this, as it was thought to be a stage blunder. In a moment, however, the scene burned in the centre, and a groat flame shot out. It was then seen that the whole stage was a mass of fire. There was a wild panic instantly. The occa pants of the .-tal's and pit and dress circle g»t away after a ijood deal of crushing and fighting. Many (especially ladies) were severely bruised, and c jrried away iu a fainting condition. The actors and actresses were nearly all in the r dressing-rooms, and were saved. The fire spread with marvellous rapidity, filling the house with suffocating smoke The occupants of the upper circle and gallery rushed in numbers to the windows, and screamed for ladder'. As soon as possible these were brought, but several persons had jumped into the street before they arrived, and were taken away more or less hurt. Others got on to the verandah over the door, and spme jumped, while others were taken off. Within five minutes of the outbreak tho City Fire Brigade were ou tho spot, but the water they poured on the fire was absolutely without effect. Men implor.id the audiencs to be cool and try to check the frantic nißb, but to little purpose. Women were fainting and wringing their hands. Some hußbauds carried out their wives. As soen as the flames were extinguished, a largo force of men began searching for bodies. The stairway loading to the gallery was literally packed with bodies, while at the head of the stairs there were scores of others piled oae pn top of another. The victims had rushed for the door when the alarm was given, but had found the stairway blocked and a) means of escape cut off. In a short time tin flames reached them, and they suffered a horrible death. The victims we're principally working men. In many cases fathers and mothers both perished, and numerous children have thus been left without means of support. Several bodies were burned so that qnly a small cinder remained. The persons severely injured number sixty, but it is feared that the death-list will reach 140. In nearly every case tho clothing had bern torn off the victims. From many of the bodies limbs were missing, and the remains showed evidence that they had been wrenched off. Several whole families, numbering from two to five persons, lost their lives. Statements as to the origin of thp fire differ. The scene-shifter says it started among oo'mß giuze, and that the flames spread to the Boenery, of which the stage was unusually full, owing to preparations for the production of the pantomime. The disaster has given a perceptible check to the theatrical business all over the country, and the Press are clamoring for the interference of. the authorities to reduce the risk of such calamities in future. i