TERRIBLE OCCURRENCE IN PARIS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1315, 13 May 1897, Page 37

TERRIBLE OCCURRENCE IN PARIS.

A FEARFUL SCENE. TWO HUNDRED LIVES LOST. • Paris, May 4. A terrible occurrence took place during the holding of a charity bazaar in Paris. A fire broke out, and in the fearful panic which ensued 30 persons were killed, whilo 100 were injured. About 1800 of the elite of the city were present. Many appalling scenes were witnessed. Paris, May 5. The city is in mourning. Many ladies of high society perished in the bazaar fire, including the Duchess d’Alencon, wife ©f Prince Ferdinand of Orleans, Comtesse de Mun (wife of the Comte de Mun, a member of the Chamber of Deputies for Finistere), Comtesse St. Perier, Comtesse de Bouneval and Baroness Didior.

Among the first visitor* to the scene were President Faure and M. Hanotaux. Leading ladies of the Conservative Catholic Party were taking a prominent part in the bazaar. There were 5000 people present, it being the busiest hour of the afternoon.

The heat was stifling. Suddenly it was seen that the wall-hangings near the cinematograph wore on fire. The flames spread rapidly, and in 30 minutes the, entire building was destroyed. As soon as the flames were observed, a cry of “ Fire ! ” was raised. A terrible panic ensued. Crowds rushed for the only egress, "where there was a fearful crush.

The shrieks of women and children were heartrending 1 . The weakest were trampled to death. The fire was worse on the right side of the bazaar; the flames cutting off communication and preventing attempts made to roach the exit. Most of the people pushed to the opposite side, and were dashed against the stone wall. One hundred and fifty of those in the bazaar escaped through a window. After the fire the ambulance men found the limbs of many victims broken; the skulls of many others were fractured, and it was impossible to recognise the features of many of the dead. It is estimated that 200 were killed and iOO- injured. Many instances of heroism were displayed at the bazaar fire, several of those who escaped from the burning building returning to search for their relations and .perishing with them. Baron Mackan re-entered the building seven times, rescuing a person at each effort. Many ladies who escaped to the streets died there from burns, while others with clothing ablaze rolled about the courtyard, the ostlers hosing them to extinguish the flames. . General. Munier, with his hair and clothes on fire, plunged into a horsetrough, but succumbed to his injuries. Thirty others who utilised the trough to extinguish their burning clothes were saved. . There- is scarcely a titled family in Paris “that has not been bereft of some member. The building in which the charity bazaar fire occurred was a wooden one, and was ablaze within five minutes, and collapsed in ten minutes. The interior had been’fitted up in imitation of shops of Old The lamp set firo to the curtains on a stall presided over by the Duchess Duzes, who escaped. , A dentist who escaped has identified the Duchess d’Alencon amongst the dead. Pakis, May G. The city is profoundly affected. The chief theatres are closed, and those open are playing to empty houses. The cafes also are deserted. Terrible scenes were witnessed at the mortuary. There were many mistakes in identifying the victims. The body of the Duchess was shrivelled like a mummy. Queen Victoria sent a message to President Dartre expressing deep grief. The Emperor of Germany also wired that Germany shares in the-mourning. The funeral service on the victims of the bazaar catastrophe takes place at Ndtre Dame on Saturday, when President Faure will deliver a speech from the front of the Cathedral. Enquiry into the disaster shows that the bazaar was most imprudently organised, no water supply being provided. The fire originated from an ether lamp. London, May 7. As a mark of sympathy with the sufferers by the charity.bazaar fire at Paris, the Eight Hon. Mr Phillips, Lord Mayor of London, accompanied by Messrs J. T. Eitchie and E, H. Eogers, sheriffs of the city, will attend the requiem mass to be held at Notre Dame.

- Paris, May 9. The remains of the victims'of the Paris bazaar fire were interred yesterday. The whole city was in mourning. The remains of ten of the victims are still unidentified. Seven thousand relics have been recovered from the ruins. Paris, May 10. The funeral service over the victims of the bazaar fire was held in Notre Dame, and it was of a most impressive character. Eepresentatives of all the Powers were present. Father Olliver in the inside, and M. Barthou, Minister of the Interior, from the front of the Cathedral, delivered eloquent orations to the immense crowds congregated to watch the ceremony. An anonymous donor, believed to be Baroness Hirsch, has donated 1,000,000 francs to recoup the in aid of which the bazaar was being held. The Paris Figaro has also collected 600,000 francs for the same purpose.