Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-28
A PRIGHTFUL PANIC.
Terrible Catastrophe in an
English Theater.
A Cry Of Fire Stampedes a
Large Audience.
People Trampled to Death in the
Mad Rush to Escape.
The Life Crushed Out OF Nine Children
and One or Two Adults-Many 9th
ers Seriously Ipjured-For-
eign Notes.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches.
LONDON, Dec. 27.-A theater in Gates
Head, county Durham, was last night
the scene of frighfful panic, in which
according to reports received. at least
ten people were killed outright and
many injured. The light of small
blaze caused by man in the audience
dropping a lighted match on the saw
dust covered floor, caused some one to
start the cry of "fre." Immediately
there was a wild rush for the doors
which, owing to the savage rush, became
so blocked that only few succeeded in
getting out. The, staircase leading from
the gallery also became blocked. A
check-taker who attempted to restrain
the crowd was crushed to death under
foot.
When the panic subsided, the bodies
of nine children. whose lives had been
literally crushed out, were found lying
on the staircase. A constable who
came to assist in the work of rescue,
was dragging out body wedged among
the struggling people, when he discov--
cred that it was the body Of his own
son.
The attraction for the evening was
the pantomime Aladdin, the theater be-
ing literally packed. The shout OF
"fre" was raised at 10 :30 O'Clock, and
instantly there was dire confusion in
which, above all, were heard the shrieks
of woman, many of whom tainted. The
lessee of the house, Immediately step
ping on the stage, shouted to the audi
ence to remain seated, assuring them
there was no real danger. Many others
attempted to restrain the mad rush for
the doors. Most of those on the first
floor escaped.
1t was a sudden bend in the gallery
staircase which caused the fearful jam.
People who had fallen and were lying IN
a heap, screaming and groaning, were
trampled upon. At last go many strug-
Cling people had fallen that all passage
for exit was effectually blocked by the
mass of writhing human beings, and
those still remaining on their feet were
forced to seek other means'of escape. Z
The occasion was made doubly memoir
able by several acts of heroism. One
man, who occupied gallery seat,
jumped from the gallery ratings to the
balcony below, and slid thence to the
stage, all the time holding child with
his teeth. Other men rescued several
women similarly. Meanwhile the fire
was easily quenched.
The police sought medical aid and as
sisted in extricating the victims from
the staircase-a matter of the utmost
difficulty. One child, after calling out
piteously: "Save me, save me J" died
before it could be reached.
News of the disaster spread rapidly,
and soon thousands of people were rush
ing to the scene to ascertain the fate OF
relatives or friends. Within few hours
all the dead were identified. With the
exception OF one all were between the
ages of Is and 16.
The members of the company escaped
in their costumes, and when they re-
turned the dressing rooms had been
robbed of their ordinary clothing. The
lessee of the theater announces that he
will give the proceeds of the performance
to the bereaved, and close the theater
pending inquiry.