Fire Tragedy in Cinema

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 141, 17 June 1936, Page 7

Fire Tragedy in Cinema

Panic-stricken Occupants AT LEAST 20 DEATHS United Press Association—Bv Electrlo Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Juno 15. Tho Bombay correspondent of The Times 'states that at least 20 persons, mostly women and children, were incinerated and many injured in a fire at the Motimahai Cinema, Hyderabad, which originated in the projecting cabin and spread with lightning rapidity to a wooden balcony reserved for women, who rushed to the exits. There they were cut off by flames which were enveloping the staircase. Borne leapt to the auditorium, where many were crushed in a panic-stricken surge to the doors. The balcony collapsed, its occupants being burned in tho debris. The theatre speedily became a roaring furnace, and was completely burnt out. Fourteen bodies which wero recovered were recognisable only by jewellery. The rescue work was hampered by enormous crowds who were almost driven mad by tho screams of the dying. Relatives of the Nizam later visited tho ruins and criticised tho inadequacy of protection against lire. They ordered tho Police Commissioner henceforth not to permit buildings to be used as cinemas unless tho escape of the audieuec is ensured. Woman’s Act Saves Many Lives Received Tuesday, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, June 26. Tho Daily Herald’s Madras correspondent says a Hyderabad official’s wife by improvising a lire escape saved many lives. tfho tore off her gailycoloured sari and tied it to the balcony railing enabling forty persons, including herself, to slide down to tho auditorium whence they escaped.