FIRE AT A MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18292, 8 January 1923, Page 7

FIRE AT A MEETING.

AN ELECTION INCIDENT. During the progress of a meeting in support of the candidature of Captain Martin, the National Liberal candidate for Romford, at the Corn Exchange, Romford, during the British general election campaign, a fire was discovered at the back of the building. The people inside were ignorant of what was happem in" and when the police entered and asked them to leave, the opposition interpreted it to mean that tb*y were to be turned oufc. A message was sent up to the platform, and the audience were, informed that a. defect, bad been discovered in the structure. They were asked to leave quietly and at the same time the flames from the burning building, , a wooden erection at the back, lit up the glass roof of the hall, and it was at once evident what had happened. . The hall was quickly emptied without panic, and willing helpers assisted to remove vehicles and animals from the yard in which the burning building was situated. At this time the blaze had extended to the roof, and there was a da<nger of it spreading to other old buildings. The fire brigade arrived on the scene, and in a short time the flames were subdued In the meantime Captain Martin arrived, and as the crowd clamoured to hear him, and all danger was past, it was decided to throw the hall open again. About ten o'clock the meeting was resumed and was successfully concluded.