PICTURE PALACE PANIC

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16201, 26 November 1926, Page 10

PICTURE PALACE PANIC

FIRE IN OPERATOR'S CABIN. MANY NARROW ESCAPES. ADELAIDE, Nov. 12. A fire broke out in a picture hall at Millieent, near Ml. Gamhill, and the people in tho audience became panicstricken. * Seats were carried along with the crowd and prevented a hasty exit. Women fainted, children screamed, and men, losing their heads, pushed their way to the doors. While a .comedian was on the stage, Mr. C. Willshire was winding films in the operating room, in readiness for the second part of the programme. The room was only Bft x Bft, and situated at the rear of the main building. The cause of the fire is believed to have been a' spark falling from an arc lamp on the film below. Immediately the whole cabin burst into flames. The projecting machine was between Mr. Willshire and the small door, but with difficulty he reached if and scrambled to the ground. His clothes were ablaze and badly burned, and he collapsed. MoUnwhile indoors an alarm had beer. raised, and though the fire was confined to the little ante-room, a wild dash for the doors, began. The comedian tried in vain to quieten the crowd. Policemen stood at the doors, but were unable to stop the rush. A few seconds after the hall was cleared the firei burnt the electric wires, and the lights went out. .Many narrow escapes were reported. Fifteen thousand feet of film was destroyed. The main hall was not damaged.