TERRIBLE FIRE IN A THEATRE AT EXETER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 17

TERRIBLE FIRE IN A THEATRE AT EXETER.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) London, September 6. A most disastrous fire occurred at the theatre at Exeter, Devonshire, during the performance last night. On the fire breaking out a terrible panic arose, and in the rush from the building the exits beeame blocked, and over 100 persons were crushed to death. The victims were chiefly those who had occupied seats in the gallery. IJp to the present time 130 bodies have been recovered, but it is feared they do not represent the total loss of life. It is believed that fully 140 persons perished by the fire at the Exeter theatre last night. The majority, of the victims were adults, two-thirds being women. Most of the bodies were found in charred masses. The building was totally destroyed. London, September 7. The details of the disaster at the Exeter theatre are most appalling. In the search among the ruins of the building a mass of charred bodieß was found wedged on the staircase leading from the gallery. All the performers were saved. (SPECIAL TO UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, September 6. Later particulars of the fire at Exeter theatre show that the outbreak was caused by some gauze scenery igniting. At the time there were 800 people in the building. Men, women, and children were wedged immovably

in the gallery exit, and were overtaken • by the flames. In the terrible struggle Which took place to get out, some were literally torn to pieces. The mortality was almost confined to the occupants of the gallery. Many noble attempts at rescue are recorded. The fire began cn the stage, and spread with great rapidity, the back portion being ablaze within three minutes. The pit exit was cleared with difficulty, thus allowing the audience in the lower parts of the house to escape. The gallery exit became blocked, and the people made for the windows and roof, many of them jumping to the ground a distance of forty feet and sustaining serious injuries.