20 BURNED TO DEATH

Southland Times, Issue 22918, 17 June 1936, Page 5

20 BURNED TO DEATH

Fire In Indian Cinema WOMEN INCINERATED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 8.5 p.m.) London, June 15. The Bombay correspondent of The Times says that at least 20, mostly women and children, were incinerated, and many were injured in a fire in the Motimahal cinema, Hyderabad. The outbreak originated in the control cabin and spread with lightning rapidity to the wooden balcony reserved for Zenana women, who rushed to the exits, where they were cut off by flames which were enveloping the staircase. Some leapt to the auditorium where many were crushed in the panic surge to the doors. The balcony then collapsed, burying the occupants in the debris.

The theatre, speedily becoming a roaring furnace, was completely burnt out.

Fourteen bodies were recovered, recognizable only by their jewellery. The rescue work was hampered by enormous crowds almost driven mad by the screams of dying relatives. His Highness the Nazim of Hyderabad later visited the ruins and criticized the inadequacy of the protection against fire. He ordered the Police Commissioner henceforth not to permit buildings to be used for a cinema unless a way of escape for the audience was ensured.

■ The Madras correspondent of The Daily Herald says that a Hyderabad official’s wife, by improvising a fire escape,‘saved many lives. She tore off hei- gaily coloured sari and tide it to the balcony railing, enabling 40 people, including herself, to. slide down to the auditorium, whence they escaped.