The record-union., 1892-04-28
PANIC IN A THEATER.
FIRE BREAKS OUT IN A PHuA-
DELPHIA PLAYHOUSE.
a Million Dollars Worth of Property
Destroyed-Many Persons Injured
In Making Their Escape.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.

PHILADELPHIA, April 27.-The most
sensational fire that has visited this city
IN years broke out tonight on the stage
of the Grand Central Theater, and before
1t was gotten under control nearly a
million dollars worth of property was
destroyed, including the massive eight
story annex building occupied by the
Times newspaper. There was a panic in
the theater, and nearly fifty persons,
mostly occupants Of the galleries, were
hurt, none, however, seriously.
Just before S o'clock, while the stage
hands were lowering from the flies a por-
ton OF the setting it became entangled in
the border lights. Tongues of fire shot
up to the roof, and the blazing scenery
fell TO the stage, and in short space of
time the entire rear portion OF the theater
was mass of fire.
A large number of female choristers and
ballet dancers stood in the wings waitin o
for the performance to begin. They
were thrown into a panic and rushed
about scarcely knowing which way to
turn to avoid the quickly spreading
flames. All, it is believed, were gotten
safely out, although there is report that
three ballet girls are missing.
A scene OF even more intense excite
ment was enacted before the footlights.
The house was only partially filled.
When the audience realized that they
were face to face with theater fire every
body started for the exits The weaker
ones were borne down and crushed un-
der foot. One individual, maddened and
brutalized by excitement, drew pocket
knife and cut his way through the mass
of people. Half a dozen or more people
were found at the hospital who had been
victims of his frenzy. None of the
wounds, however. are of more than a
painful character.
Men and boys fell on the stairwavs
leading from the galleries, and were
bruised and scratched under the heels of
those following them. Fifty-two persons
were cared for at the two hospitals near
the theater.
The widest excitement prevailed on
the streets. Ballet girls in gauze and
tights rushed bareheaded around, almost
all of them in a hysterical condition.
The ire spread with marvellous rapid
ity, and by the time the fire apparatus
arrived the scene was mass of ilames.
An alarm was promptly given, and all
the occupants of the Tunes annex build
ing got out in safety. The first. second
third and fourth floors were occupied by
Dejoskeno IL Hetherington, art metal
workers.
The wind was blowing in direction to
carry the flames to the newspaper build
ing, aud in few minutes the structure
was on fire. By $50 the entire interior
was Quilted. The west wall and portion
Of the east wall fell, the former crushing
in a large portion of the one-story power
house Of the Philadelphia Traction Com
pany. The east wall crushed four-story
building. occupied by Hamilton 81 Die
singer, manufacturing jewellers, and ppr-
tions of several buildings below on
Eighth street. The front wall filled San
l. l.
damaged the buildings opposite.
In the cellar were the new presses of
the Times, which were ruined beyond re-
pair The PoulSon House roof burned
and the building was soaked with water
The audience of the old Walnut-street
Theater was quietly dismissed. The
Continental Hotel escaped with slight
Scorching.
Colonel a. Mcclure, editor oftha Times
lost his invaluable political library.
AS the confusion following the fire
somewhat subsided the casualties were
found to be more serious than at first
supposed. Forty-one persons were ad-
mitted to the Pennsylvania Hospital.
About twenty are in a serious condition.
The injuries are mainly about the face
and many, it is feared, are blinded for life
by the fierce wall-of fire through which
they fought.
The Jefferson Hospital attended thirty
of the injured. OF this number none are
seriously enough burned to be kept in
the institution.
A number of people are missing, and
it is not known whether they perished or
have remained among the crowd around
the ruins. 1t is not known positively up
to late hour whether or not any of the
company which was performing at the
Central were killed or injured, but it is
reported that William l.. Brooks, Vim
cencita Cnitten, Sarah Galman, Thomas
Lorella and wife and Miss Conyers, all of
whom were connected with the company,
are miSsillp