FIRE IN THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22909, 17 June 1936, Page 9

FIRE IN THEATRE

PANIC AMONG INDIANS COLLAPSE OF BALCONY SERIOUS LOSS OF LIFE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON. June 15. The Bombay correspondent of The Times says that at least 20, mostly women and children, were incinerated and many injured in a fire in the Motimahal Kinema, Hyderabad. The outbreak originated in the projecting cabin and spread with lightning rapidity to a wooden balcony reserved for Zenana women, who rushed the exits, wltere they were cut off by flames enveloping the stair case.

Some leaped to the auditorium, where many were crushed in a panic, surge towards the doors. The balcony collapsed, burying the occupants in the debris. The theatre, speedily becoming a roaring furnace, was completely burned out. The fourteen bodies which were recovered were recognisable only by jewellery. Rescue work was hampered by great crowds almost driven mad by the screams of dying relatives. The Nizam later visited the ruins and criticised the inadequacy of the protection. against fire. He has ordered the police commissioner henceforth not to permit buildings to be used for a kinema unless the audience’s escape is ensured.

IMPROVISED FIRE ESCAPE

WOMAN SAVES MANY LIVES LONDON, June 16. (Received June 16, at 8.5 p.m.) The Daily Herald’s Madras correspondent says that a Hyderabad official’s wife, by improvising a fire escape, saved many lives. She tore off her gaily-coloured sari and tied it to the balcony railing, enabling 40 persons, including herself, to slide down to the auditorium, whence they escaped.