PAISLEY DISASTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20596, 21 June 1930, Page 13

PAISLEY DISASTER.

RESULTANT REGULATION. PROTECTION OF CHILDREN. (Received June 20. 8.15 p.m.) LONDON. June 20. As a sequel to the cinema disaster at Paisley last New Year's Eve, when 70 children were killed, the Home Office has issiieu a new regulation. This provides that where the majority of an audience comprises children there must be sufficient attendants effectively to control the children's movements and ensure the safe clearance of the building in case of emergency. Stark tragedy attended a special New Year's Eve entertainment for children in a cinema at Paisley. A smoking film caused a panic, and although the building was not ignited, a frantic struggle to reach the exits had dreadful results. Seventy children perished, most of them from asphyxiation as a result of gas-brackets being broken hi the mad rush for safety, and poisonous gas being poured into their midst. Many other children were taken to hospital, most of whom were suffering from shock. Heartrending scenes were witnessed. Numbers of the terror-stricken children •were piled in heaps breast-high when rescuers reached them. In the hospital distracted mothers identified their offspring and nurses fainted, appalled by the magnitude of the disaster. There were many instances of heroism. The tragedy was described as the worst of its kind ever known in Scotland.