FIRE HORROR

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 February 1947, Page 5

FIRE HORROR

BERLIN DANCE HALL OVER 50 BELIEVED BURNT TO DEATH BUILDING RAZED IN 15 MINUTES (Rec. 10.20 a.m.) BERLIN, February 9. More than 50 persons, it is feared, are dead as the result of a big fire which destroyed a dance hall in an amusement centre in Spandau (a suburb in the British sector of Berlin). Bodies are still being recovered. A fancy-dress ball, which British troops attended, was. in progress' when a fire, which the troops helped to extinguish, broke out. Three British Soldiers Killed. . It is officially stated that three British soldiers were killed and four seriously injured. A soldier, aged 18, rescued a number of people and then perished in trying to save more. The fire was started by a spark in the roof and the place was burned down in 15 minutes. Between 300 and 400 people attended the ball. There was only one exit and the doorway became jammed with struggling, screaming women. Most of the people perished in the cloakrooms while seeking their belongings. Crushed to Death. Several women were literally crushed to death. Those who rushed straight to the streets, abandoning their coats, trudged homeward through the snow in incongruous fancy dress. At least 40 bodies have been recovered from the debris. ■ The search will be resumed to-morrow.