The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-08
TURNING OF a THEATRE IN LONDON,


NhS HhRnNM DeHtrOyGu Shnoe A0N''
On the 2lst ultimo the Standard Theatre 10
London was destroyed by IRE. There was a
large tank OF water, containing four nunuIeu
enbic ieet on the main beams OF the Dun1mg,
with hose attached and ready on eacn slue oL
Sbe stage; but 30 rapidly did the cOnhagrauon
extend that before the brigsdemen could aVail
themselves Of this supply the TANK became en-
Veloped IN flames, and fell with splutterlng
erash as the beams burnt through scarcely pro-
duOing any effect on the IRE. Within an hour
the whole area of the building, extending from
6eOIge street on the east to near Holywell lane
On the west, and IRON Shoreditch on the north
20 the North London Railway on the south, was
one mass OF flame.
The 6re was FIRST discovered by policeman
on duty, and when seen, appeared to have arisen
no the neighbOThood of the dresHng-rooms, over
the stage entrance in George street. The Iele-
graph saye:-
Eight theatres have been burned in London
since l641, and to this day how the fire was
caused in any one OF them has never been made
clear, real disclosure of the fact been substi-
tuted Tor simple surmse lore or less probable
or plausible. How the existing flames were
fret discovered, where and under what condi-
tiOns they spread, has been generally made clear
enough and closely investigated; but the cause,
or where and how the first spark fell or the
FIRST flames glew, haSnot been determined. The
hremen are in like manner as yet at fault in
respect of the last Of these disasters. The sur
veyors and assessors of the fire offices most
interested have inspected what remains of the
theatre, and have pursued their inquiries very
diligently, but without success.
''The returns of the Fire Brigade show that
during the last twenty-five years The following
metropolitan theatres have been destroyed by
hre;-On June 8, l84l, Astley's, belonging to
Messrs. Ducrow West; November 4, 1916, Gar.
Tlck Theatre, in Leman street. belonging TO
Messrs. Conquest g. Gomersa; March 49, IS49,
Olympic Theatre, belonging to Messrs. DAVIDSON
and Captain Spicer; July u, 1853, Islington
Circus (when seven hOrses and eleven dogs we're
bnrnt); February IL, 1856, the Pavilion Theatre.
Whitechapel; March 5, 1856, Covent Garden
Theatre; January 80 1865, the Surrey Theatre:
and last Sunday morning, the Standard Theatre
Captain Shaw, in his report on rires at
theatres, makes the following comment anon
the prevention of fire extending throughout a
theatre:- In theatres and other places OF public
amusement there appears TO be much room for
Improvement. simple Arrangement might be
made to divide such places into at least two
distinct risks, the stage being in one and the
audience IN the other. This could be accom-
pllsneo a1i Dy building complete party or fire.
the curtain hangs, and close by the curtain
might be suspended a revolving iron shutter
with considerable overlap, which could Oe
lowered at moments notice, to cut off the risk
from one portion OF the building, thus epsurino
70 the tTemen and others an immediate entry To
at ieast portion OF the premises, aud so enable
then 10 give early and effective and. The roofs.
which are now the most dangerous parts of such
places, might with advantage be constructed of
iron OF other hght metal, and divided as
aforementioned, and il should be absolutely
proniOlleo 10 use any portion OF the roof as
at present, for either workshops or stOre-ronme
The curtain, wings, flies, slides, the whole
OF the stage, and many other parts, might be
oecas1onaiiy washed or soaked hn a mixture of
ainn ano water, or some similar substance
winch would have the effect OF rendering then
less lnfammable, and, even in the event OF Their
catching ire, would entirely prevent the sudden
Di2AIDC up which at present constitutes the
great risk in all such places The transverse
hre wa'l should be perforated at every floor,
even to the basement under the stage, and the
openings fitted with double wrought-iron doors.
Every door for exit should be made TO open out
wards, AND such space allowed for this pur
pose that the building could be cleared of the
whole audience within FIVE minutes of the time
ct giving the alarm. II, In addition to this,
separate place OF exit were provided for each
doo1 or landing, the probability OF serious
panic, with the delay consequent thereon,
wo1Id be much reduced, the iremen would be
enabled 10 get at their WORK sooner, and would,
have no doubt, be more successful IN stopping
% serious tire than they can hope TO be under
1be g sting arrangements"