The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-28
LIVES CRUSHED OUT,
Frishtful Panic in a Crowded
Theater.
Children Trampled 10 Death in the Wild
Rush for The Doors.
Gallery Exit Blocked by Heap Of WrithiHg
Human BeiEss-Ten Persons Killed
and Many Others Injured.
Special TO THE MORNING CALI.

LONDON, Dec. pa theater In Gates
head, County Durham. was last night the
scene of a frightful panic, in which, according
to reports received, at least ten people were
killed outright and many injured. The
sight of a small blaze caused by man in
the audience dropping a lighted match on
the saNdust- covered floor caused some one
TO start the cry of fire" 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 was also
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 stair
case. A constable who came to assist in
the work of rescue in dragging out bodies
found wedged among the struggling people
the body Of his son.
The attraction for the evening was the
pantomime "Alladin," tie theater being lit
orally packed. The shout of fire" was
raised at 1890 o'clock. and instantly there
was dire confusion, in which above all was
heard the shrieks of women, many of whom
tainted.
The lessees of the house Immediately
steppe1 on the stage and shouted to the
audience to remain seated. assuring them
that there was no danger. Many others at
tempted 10 restrain the rush for the doors.
The most of those on the first floor escaped.
1t was a sudden bend in the gallery stair
case which caused the fearful jam. People
who had fallen and were lying in heap,
screaming and groaning, were trampled
upon. At last so many struggling people
had fallen that all the passage from the
exit was entirely blocked by mass of
writing human beings and those still re-
naming on their feet were forced to seek
other means of escape.
The occasion was made doubly memoir
able by several acts Of heroism. One man,
who occupied gallery seat, jumped from
the gallery railings to the balcony below,
Slid thence to the stage, all the time holding
q child with his teeth. Other men rescued
several women in a similar manner Mean
while the fire was easily quenched.
The police sought medical aid and assist
ance in extricating the victims from the
staircase, matter of utmost difficulty.
One child, after calling piteously, save me,
save me-" died before it could be reached.
The news of the disaster spread rapidly,
and soon thousands of frantic people were
rushing to the scene to ascertain the fate Of
relatives or friends. Within a few hours
all the dead were Identified With the ex-
seption of one all were between the ages of
Is and 16.
The members Of the company escaped in
their costumes, and when they returned to
their dressing-rOoms found they had been
robbed of their ordinary clothing.
The lessee Of the theater announces that
he will give the proceeds of the perform
ance to the bereaved and close the theater
pending an inQuiry