SCHOOLHOUSE FIRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3610, 22 May 1923, Page 21

SCHOOLHOUSE FIRE.

SEVENTY-SIX VICTIMS. NEW YORK, May 18. At Cleveland, South Carolina, 74 bodies of men, women, and children were recovered from the ruins of a schoolhouse which was destroyed by fire when an oil lamp fell from a ceiling during a school entertainment. The small building was packed by some 400 persons, who, when the blaze started, stampeded for a narrow staircase leading to the street. Many were trampled to death, and their bodies jammed the doorway, trapping others, who perished in the flames. Scores were badly injured. In numerous instances entire families perished. The survivors tell terrible stories. The building possessed only one exit, to which the entire audience (parents and school children) rushed madly. The stairway collapsed and precipitated its human burden into a heap agaifist the door, which they were unable to open. The structure, which was an old wooden one, was a blazing mass in a few minutes. Those who escaped injury on the stairs leaped out of the windows, several breaking their, backs; but the trampled victims of the panic were burned to cinders. Cleveland is a small village, and practically every home is affected. The latest check reveals 76 dead, in eluding 40 children and 16 mothers. So many bodies were charred beyond recognition that a general funeral will be held to-night, all the remains being buried together. May 19. At Cleveland last evening the remains of 66 men, women, and children who perished in yesterday’s fire were buried m one huge box. Four thousand people assembled from miles around. The grave, which measured 40ft by 12ft, was marked only by simple floral gatherings from the fields. A brief service was read. The remaining victims will be buried this morning.