New-York tribune., 1879-12-19
FIRE AT THE PARK THEATRE.

FLAMES DISCOVERED uNDRR THE vEsTIBULE STEPS
THE AUDIENCE PASSES OUT by THE TWENTY
sECOND-sr DOORS.
The play Of d" Fritz in Ireland at Abbey's PARK
Theatre was interrupted about 9:lO last evening
by an alarm of fire. Maze Edwards the treasurer OF
the theatre was leaving the box Office IN the Ves-
bule. when his attention was called to cloud OF
smoke which was rising from the stairs leading from
the vcstibule into the theatre He Immediately
rang the fire alarm box in the building aud then
went in search of Mr.. Abbey The flames had
started under tho staircase in the vestibule. but
when the alarm was sounded the presence of the
fire could be detected only by the smoke.
Mr. Abbey and his assistant manager. ;. NJ.
lIlcke, took measures Mt once to prevent panic IN
the audience Besides the main entrance on Broad
way there were two other entrances from Twenty
second-st connecting with the main auditorium and
with the galleries. These doors thrown opcn
and PatroIman John II. GcDore. of the Twenty
ninth Precinct, was called in and asked to guard
the Broadway entrance.
In spite of these precautions there was good
deal of excitement. The information that the build
Ing was on fire reached the ears OF persons III thc
rear of the house, and it spread through the audi
ence like lightning Mr. Emmett had just finished
his song She tainted Away in My Arms" and he
was surprised 10 the audience rise WIN
looks sand excamations expressive of alarm. Officer
Genore stepped inside the door, and addressing the
audience. said that there was fire IN the yesti-
bule. He advised every one to leave the building
quietly by the Twcnty-second-st entrance.
The fire engines were approaching .at tie
same time, and the ringing, of their bells ei
conld be heard plainly inside the thra'rr. me
audience began 10 move toward the doors. Several
men stood up in their seats and cried Keep ySSnr yS
"e iea and s@Doc hs' M cdsc Of SPNff1 iSc stsc
and advised the audience 10 keep quiet.
Tie effect of these counsels was To prevent
ANYTHING like II panic although many women turned
pale and there were many evidences ot fear. Many
persons were resuning their seats again when MI.
Emmett. who had caught glimpse OF smoke COM
ing through the Broadway entrance. again spoke al
visng everyone 10 pass ont quietly as the play would
not be the fire lad been eGingushed;
Officer Grnore showed great irmness and presence oil
mind by resisting the Inclination ot lnauy persons
to pass out the smoking staircase to broadway
few men dashed by him but the greater part
OF tire audience went out quietly by the twenty
scroud-st. doors, and dispersed. lhe hreinen put
out the flames in a few mOments-before the build
ing had been cleared. II was found f1Gnd ,bnnt tnat
one of the pipes attached TO the heater IN
the vestibule The damage was tring, and was
made by the. .remen in tearing up the staircase 10
get AT the fire. .
After the excitement occasioncd by the fire had in
part subsidcd. Mr.. Abbey wrote out the following
notice for the Press:
{" Reprettlug exceedingly that the audience at my
theatre was obliged 10 leave this evening in the
midst of the performance. owing TO the alarm OF
fire. which had broken ont in portion Of the build
ing ! beg TO say that / shall admit to Tomorrow
evenings performance of Fritz in Ireland free
OF charge, all persons who were present this evening
when the alarm occurred"
Mr.. Abbey Mr.. Emmett and the members OF the
Fire Department were witnesses Of the conduct of
Patroman Genore, and were warm III their express
sons of praise saying that the officer deserving
of great credit in preventing any accident 10 the
audience Captain Berghold sought the officer out
and expressed his satisfaction in public manner.