Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-11-13
Total Destruction of the National
Standard rheRter In London.

tFrom the London Morning Herald, Oct. 2zI
We have II hronicle the entire destruc-
tion by fire OF the Standard Theater, stu
ated in Shoredtch. Immediately opposite
the Great Eastern Railway COmpany's ter
minus station, and a very popular resort of
the playgOers of the East end. The out
break of the fire took place early yesterday
Sunday morning, aud in less than three
hours the theater was completely gutted.
The performance on the previous evening
Saturday had terminated at late hour,
the occasion having been signalled by the
production of a new burlesque, entitled
" Der Frieschutz," being an tXtravagant
adaptation of the popular opera of that
name, produced here for the first time, with
novel aud attractive features, and having
been witnessed by crowded house with
considerable enthusiasm. promising long
and successful run. One of the leading
characteristics Ofthe burlesque was the "ln-
cantatiOn scene," which WAS treated in
highly sensational style. and it is cOnjec-
tured that some of the infammable mate
rials employed in its production had effected
a concealed lOdgment either amongst the
scenery or in some assures of the boards,
and lay smOuldering until after the closing
of the house, which took place about mid
night, everything at that time appearing to
be in perfect safety. A thorough inspec-
tion by the carpenter of the " magazine
floors" used in the production of the
scenic effects falling to detect the slightest
traces of fire. This examination was
also supplemented at later hour by Mr..
Thomas Douglas (brother of the lessee, and
gas engineer to the establishment, who re-
sided in the theater, in accor lance with his
usual practice, made thorough inspection
of the premises including the green room,
the dressing rooms. the scene painting sa-
loon "a large building which was, in fact,
the original theater, known many years ago
as the Grafton, and the department uspd
as store room for the scenic frame work,
which extended to and comprised one of
the arches of the North London Railway,
which runs parallel with the theater. Hav-
ing finished his round and finding all APP
parcntlv secure, Mr.. Douglas retired to rest,
but was awakened about A. NJ. by the
ringing of an alarm bell communicating
with the street, and the information that
the theater was on fire. He at once at
tempted to reach the hose of the establish
ment, but the passage connecting his rooms
with the main building was filled with
dense volumes of smoke, which effectually
debarred his progress in that direction.
The fire by this time-and, indeed, almost
as soon as discOvered-had gained hold to
such an extent owing to the intlammable
nature of the scenic aud other materials Of
which the building was constructed, as to
render all chance Of savingt the same almost
hopeless, and the efforts of the large for, c
of steam and hand engines which were
quickly in attendance were, after a praise
worthy, though brief and Intellectual at
tempt to subdup the flames, directed to Wig
orous efforts with view of saving the adj
iacent property, which enrompassed the
theater on three sides, embracing tene-
ments on High street, George street, and
Hollywell lane, the houses especially in the
two latter places being in imminent danger
for a considerable period. Happily, how
ever, owing to the incesSant efforts of the
| tiremen, they escaped destruction, but not
before several of them had sustained seri-
ous damage from the effects of the fire and
water. The fire was at its height at about
| Z A. NJ, at which hour the flames shot high
into the air, tapping over and about the sur
rounding house-tops with fearful violence
and the loud noises caused by the falling
of the party walls, gas-lustres, the gallery,
the roof carrying with it the large central
chandelier (Which weighed nearly tom,
could be heard for long distance. By
| o'clock the building was complete wreck
| SOt16 lew lIUi plllhISs dlu pOIJioiloOl Whllt
only remaining. Tue high party wall re-
Gently erected, and running parallel with
the theater, indeed, remains standing, but
it Is considered to he in an extremely dan
gerous state, and will probably, upon eX-
animation, require to be levelled. with the
ground to prevent further danger. The
engines continued playing upon the debris
until IL A. M. The omnibus and other
| traffic was suspended for a considerable
period. A strong force of the police were
in attendance to preserve order among the
immense crowd which assembled during
the progress of, the fire, and which was
kept continually augmented dnring the
whole of yesterday by crowds OF people
anxious to witness, the scene of the catas-
trophe, 1t, is estimated that upwards Of
12O employees of all grades connected with
the theatrical profession will be throws
out of employment by the disastrous oc-
currence, aud many dof the actors have
sustained losses by the destruction of theil
wardrobes ani other properties.