The sun., 1892-04-28
FIRE STAMPEDES A THEATRE.
SIXTY PERSONS INJURED IN a PANIC
IN PBILADELPHIA.

Out Just In Time-Costumcs for Three
Companies Burned = The Sinmpeds
Caught the Gallery Audience.
PHILADELPHIA. Aprl27.-Fire was discovered
in the Central Theatre few minutes before y
o'clock tonight. 1t could not be controlled.
and the theatre was destroyed and the large
eight-story building In the rear. known as the
Times annex and occupied by the daily Times.
was quickly swept away. In addition seven
other buildings occupied as stores and
dwelling houses on Eighth street between
SAMSON and Walnut streets wore more
or less seriously damaged. There was
no loss Of life. but about sixty persons
who we're In the theatre we're injured. some
OF them seriously. in tho panic caused by tho
attempt to escape Tho buildings on Walnut
street west Of tho theatre. including the pub
lication office Of Taggart's Sunday Times. q
hotel called the Poulson House. and the Wal
nut Street Theatre. were only saved through
the heroic efforts Of tho iiremen.
Tho musicians OF tho orchestra had Just
taken their places preparatory to beginning
the overture to tho DEVILS Auction" u spec
tacular Extravaganza which was the attraction
at the theutre. when some one in tho audience
near the stage saw the flame and smoke issu-
ing from the flies over the stage. cry Of
alarm was at once raised. and the audience.
consisting Of about 45O persons. OF whom only
about dozen were women. made u rush for
the exits
The lower part OF tho house was almost
empty. the greater part OF the audience being
in the dress circle and the gallery. There was
little trouble in getting out those from the first
floor. Many OF those in the galleries were in
jured by being tramped upon and thrown
down stairs in tho rush
AS soon as the fire alarm was sounded the
police summoned the patrol wagons and the
ambulanccs from the different hospitals and
the wounded were quickly conveyed to the
Pennsy lvunia and Jefferson hospitals. near by.
where their injuries were attended to- 1t was
found that only five persons. all men. were
seriously injured. and only two OF these are
likely to die. They are two brothers named
Queeny. who inhaled flames. In about
five minutes after the panic the fire
attacked the Times annex in the
rear. caught on tho second floor in the edito-
rial rooms and the editors. reporters and COM
positors had just time to dash down stairs
and gain the street before the building was q
mass OF flames. Some Of the reporters and
editors were obliged to leave their coats and
hats behind. and escaped in their shirt sleeves
or light office coats. Three minutes after the
last man left the building the walls fell in and
the building was in ruins.
W. j. Gilmore. the proprietor OF the theatre.
estimates his loss Mt about S135OOO. upon
which tho insurance will amount to about
S55.O00. This includes the scenery and cos
tunes Of the Devils Auction" and Twelve
temptations" and the comic opera The Sea
King" all OF which were owned by Mr.. Gil
more. and were stored in the theatre. All tho
type. presses. and other paraphernalia and
machinery for printing the Times were In the
annex.
The loss falls upon the Times Publishing
Company. Of which Frank Mclaughlin is the
manager. Mr. Mclaughlin said tonight that
the total loss will aggregate $500. 200. includ-
ing the building. which cost Sl5O.OOO. presses.
type. engines. and machinery In addition.
tho back files OF the paper. n valuable library.
and large lot OF important manuscript and
relics were destroyed. The loss is about two
thirds covered by insurance.
The houses on Eighth street were old and
very infammable. and four OF the seven were
totally destroyed. The oEs on this propertyis
about $4,000. which Is partially covered BY
insurance.
One OF the attaches in the theatre caused tho
fire. He WIS lighting the gas Jet overhead
known as the border lights.
While passing the torch along the second
row of these lights suspended scene become
ignited. and In an Instant tho entire loft was
ablnze. The alarm was Mt onco given. and all
the stage hands did their best to smother
the flames. but tho fire spread too rapidly.
Charles Yale. the manager OF Mr.. Gill
more's enterprise was near the spot where
the fire originated. and speedily threw open
all the exits Of the auditorium and rushed to
the Office on the second floor on the Walnut
street side OF the theatre. and had Just time
enough to close the safe when tho smoke and
flames drove him from the room to tho fire
escape on the front wall.