PANIC IN THEATRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21153, 9 April 1932, Page 3 (Supplement)

PANIC IN THEATRE.

OUTBREAK OF FIRE. A fierce fire broke out on the stage of the Palace Theatre, New York's leading vaudeville house, when Miss Sophie Tucker was concluding her turn a few weeks ago. Ten persons in the audience of 1700 were injured in a wild scramble for the exits. Miss Tucker was taking a final " curtain " when sparks showered down behind her, and the scenery went up in a blaze. Soon great tongues of flame were shooting out in the orchestra pit and front-row stalls. The actress was hastily dragged off the stage, shouting, " Don t lose your heads." Shrieks and shouts of alarm blended in a deafening bedlam as the audience surged to the exits, members of the theatre staff frantically appealing for order. The asbestos curtain was rung down, and actors and stage hands fled, some through side doors leading to the auditorium. The house was cleared in three minutes and the fire speedily extinguished, but experienced theatre managers consider it almost a miracle that no great death roll resulted. " Horror laid hold of me," said Miss Tucker describing the experience. " The stage lights went out and voices called hoarsely to me in darkness illuminated bv the great bonfire overhead. I stumbled blindly to safety, weeping and fearing a catastrophe might ensue."