TRAPPED IN A FIRE

Feilding Star, Volume 8, Issue 2507, 21 March 1930, Page 5

TRAPPED IN A FIRE

WOMEN AND CHILDREN A TRAGEDY IN MANCHURIA DETAILS OF THE DISASTER. By Telegraph-Press Assn-Copyright (Aust. end N.Z. Cable) (Received March 21, 10.10 a.m)) Shanghai, March 20. Additional details of the cinema fire at Changchun in Kirin disclose that fused electric wire ignited a flimsy makeshift structure during the performance. It is now believed that 120 persons perished, 64 bodies being recovered and many more are still amongst the ruins. At the first sign of fire the large crowd stampeded and a t e rr*hlo panic resulted in the single narrow* passage which was the sole exit. Most were \Women and children, many of whom were crushed to deafE A stiff breeze was blowing and sqou the building was a mass of Harney more than 100 l>eing t ra PPcd wi thin the blazing furnace. An antiquated fire brigade was unable to do anything and harrowing scenes followed, thousands 4 of parents shrieking and wailing as the completed its terrible work. Police and military were compelled to resorf. to the severest tactics to prevent relatives lynching the Chinese proprietor and operator, who eventually escaped. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of the proprietor and operator.