FIRE TRAGEDY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 June 1936, Page 8

FIRE TRAGEDY.

. PANIC-STRICKEN OCCUPANTS. (By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright) LONDON, June 15. ' The Bombay correspondent of TheTimes states that at least 20 persons,, mostly Avomen and children, Avere incinerated and many injured in a lire at the Motimahal Cinema, Hyderabad, which originated in the projecting cabin and spread with lightning rapidity to a Avooden balcony reserved for Avomen, avlxo rushed to the exits. There they Avere cut off by flames AA"hich were enveloping the staircase. Some leapt to the auditorium, Avhere 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 Avork Avas hampered by enormous crowds Avho Avere 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 bo used as. cinemas unless the escape of the audience is ensured.

Woman’s Act Saves Many Lives LONDON, June 2G. The Daily Herald’s Madras correspondent says a Hyderabad official’s wife by improvising a lire escape saved many lives. She tore off her gailycolonred sari and tied it to the balconyrailing enabling forty persons, including herself, to slide down to the auditorium whence they escaped.