The New York herald., 1879-11-30

DESTRUCTION OF THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE
STAGE cARPESTER AND HIS FAMILY BURNED
TO DEArH-LossEs OF OWNER, MANAGER AND

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
TORONTO. Ont. Nov. 20. 1879
At haf-past three O'Clock this morning hre broke
out in the Grand Opera House. on Adelaide street.
and in few minutes the part of the build
ing. from the box Office TO the extreme outer
walls s'was in flames. The irenen worked well. but
heavy gale blowing and in an hour and half
the whole interior of the building was destroyed
The wind carried the sparks and the burning scenery
into Young and King streets and to dis
tance of half a mile. Robert Wright. a stage
carpenter. with his wife and child. lived in the
top story the theatre and before they could get
down stairs the fire ran up the flies and
cut of their retreat. Firemen attempted to
reach them by scaling the walls. but the flames
swept the of the stage up to the roof and
drove them back many times. The windows fell in
ten minutes and the walls began to crumble shortly
afterward. The inside of the theatre. particu-
larly the green and among stage
properties, was like furnace. Ihonas
Scott, night watchman of the building.
penned up for some time in the third story.
lie tried to drag Wright and his family out. but
could not do it and had to jump for his life. He
was badly burned about the head and neck and his
arm was severely injured At four clock the south
BILE crash.
CAUSE OF THE FIRE.
Daniel BinQmauu ana company were Playing
an engagement of week in Shakespeares dramas,
and all their costumes and scenery were In the
theatre. Bandmann and his wife hurried to the
spot but nothing could be done for them. and their
property. valued at $4,000. was destroyed. The
members of their company also lost everything.
They played Macbeth" last night and
it is believed that sparks from the
fire III the caldron lodged among
the properties and caused the subsequent confia-
grafton. At nine o'clock this morning the ruins
were sufficiently cool to enable the fremen TO
make search and the charred bodies OF Wright,
his wife and child were found. Wright came from
Mrs. Drews Arch Street Theatre, Philadelphia, two
years ago. Alderman Piper had rooms in the build
ing. and Is missing
The theatre was built in 1874 by joint stock COM
pany and cost $4,000. In 1876 it bought by
ex-Alderman Manning for $780, U0O 1t was insured for
$4,000. Mr. Manning intends to rebuild 1t as
Music Hall.
Bandmann due at Mrs. Drews theatre on Mon
day and sho telegraphed TO him to-day, telling him
to proceed to Philadelphia and she would pro-
vide the means for him to fulfill his engagements
with her. The Marquis OF Lorne telegraphed to him
this evening that he would give his patronage to any
benefit the people Of Toronto might get up for him,
aud Mrs. Scott-Siddons has offered her services.
King street, has profered that theatre
to Bandmann for three nights OF next week. and
he has accepted the offer Tickets will be sold at
double prices. The Coroner's inquest on the bodies
OF Wright aud his family will be held on Monday.
Mr.. Bandmann and members Of his company will at
tend the funeral Miss Noxon. the only American
in the company. had her wardrobe in her hotel. and
her loss is trihing Nothing is left OF the theatre
but two walls.