FIRE IN THE THEATRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14214, 10 November 1909, Page 7

FIRE IN THE THEATRE.

• PICTURE FILMS ABLAZE. - '-'% COOL AUDIENCE, vS: — ■ -OUTBREAK PROMPTLY SUBDUED. A flffls broke out at His Majesty's Theatre, at 10.30 ■ o'clock last evening, which micht easily have ended in a catastrophe, lid it not been for the promptitude shown by the firemen on duty at the theatre, and the custodian, Mr. W. G. JJower. A large holiday audience had assembled i. witness the first-night, of the "Globe" Pictures. The last picture but one was I being shown when the celluloid film going through the machine caught fire, and a long sheet of flame flew up to the ceiling. The machine was placed at the back of 'the dress circle. In a moment the drap- , ings ere enveloped in fire, and then the curtains at the back of the dress circle and several of the seats caught ablaze. The custodian and Firemen Ludlow and Sehrawm, who were in attendance, saw the outbreak, and in a marvellously quick time had two leads of 4in hose playing upon the fire, which they soon succeeded in suppressing. - .' Fireman Ludlow saw the outbreak from • Whind the back sheet on the stage. Pick- - "ing up a hose he ran to the scene of the occurrence, but had been forestalled by /'Bower, who had got a lead on from the \ orchestral stalls. Luckily the audience kept perfectly cool, without the slightest sign of panic. Within three minutes all who preferred to be : outside had got through the exits, but L many persons evinced a strong desire to 6tay and sec the end of the fire. -"-The City Fire Brigade were very soon I'" ,-ofl the scene, but their services were not Irequired, the outbreak having been subidoed before their arrival. i . "After the fire, the theatre, especially the'dress circle portion, presented a rather sorry sight. Water was running everywhere, whilst the charred curtains and the damaged picture machine and ' seats spoke eloquently of what might have ' --been' if the flames had got the upper hand. ;.■•■■■.-'• ' ■ \.

-It is expected that all the damaged . .material will be replaced by to-night, ''when another picture programme will be 'given. The operating machine, a Warwick, was ■ a "new one, being used for the first time. During the . progress of the second last picture, the automatic cut-off, with its 'gyroscope attachment, refused to work, 'and in a moment the machine was enveloped in flames. ; IpiiMiThe t damage :is roughly estimated at between £50 and £100. Everything, • however, is covered by ample insurance. It is interesting to note that about 12 . months ago a test was made as to the stita'e occupied in getting a full audience ; C jt of the exits. This was done in two -■BHiutes, so that last night's record, allowing for. a little excusable excitement, ' [was a very creditable one. .'■ '■.." ====== ■ ' .