THEATRE FIRE

Evening Star, Issue 22574, 16 February 1937, Page 9

THEATRE FIRE

DISASTER IN MANCHURIA DEATH ROLL OF 800 Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 14. The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Autuug correspondent reports that survivors of the theatre fire arc still scrambling among the smouldering ruins searching for the bodies of relatives. Many of the seekers arc orphaned boys and girls. Thus far 680 bodies have been recovered, many being unrecognisable. The death roll is estimated at 800. The audience had assembled for a gala performance in celebration of the Chinese New Year, and were wearing long, gaily-hued robes, over which many tripped when attempting to escape. The confusion was so great that less than half the audience emerged when, after the collapse of the gallery, flinging the occupants on to a frenzied mass below, the blazing walls and roof fell in, completely defeating the courageous efforts of the firemen and Japanese troops. Fifty houses were also destroyed. Among the recovered bodies is that of a Japanese policeman who sacrificed his life in attempting to cut a hole in a wall to release those who were imprisoned. One hundred were seriously injured.