New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-28
BIG FIRE IN PHILADELPHIA.
AUDIENCE AND ACTORS IN A THEATRE
PANIC STRICKEN.
ONE NAN WITH A KNIFE CUTS HIS WAY OUT
THROUGH THE CROWD" TIE TIMES's'
ANNEX BUILDING BURNTD--Loss
NEARLY MILLION.

NEARLY 4 MILLION.
Philadelphia, April o7-Fro broke ont shortly before
O'Clock tonight the stage Of the Grand Central
Theatre and before II gotten under control nearly
n million dollars worth OF property had been destroyed.
including the massive cight-story building oc-
cupled by "The Tines newspaper. During panic
in the theatre nearly fifty persons, mostly
occupants OF the galleries. we're injured. none
seriously however. Just before O'clock while the
stage hands lowering from the flies portion OF
the setting for the first IL became entangled IN
the border lights In an instant the himsy canvas was
mass OF flames. The large number of female choris-
ers and ballet dancers thrown into panic and
rushed about scarcely knowing which way to turn 10
avoid the quickly spreading flames Al were, 1t is
believed gotten safely out, although report Is IN
circulation that three women connected with the ballet
were In their dressing room and have not been seen
since. The police and the theatre people say now
ever. that all the company have been accounted for
While the panic In progress behind the curtain
scene OF even moro intense excitement was being
enacted before IT, Fortunately the house only
partially filled. The audience had just settled down
In their seats awaiting the beginning OF the per-
icrmance when they startled by the fash that
came when the scenery caught, which could be plainly
through the lowered curtain The next minute
a bright white flame shot through the cur
tain and those composing the audience realized
that they were face face with that awful situation
a theatre fire. Everybody started for the exits The
weaker ones were borne down and crushed under
foot one individual maddened and brutalized By
excitement. drew pocket knife, and with II cut
his way through the mass OF people Hall dozen
or more people found at the hospital who had
been victims OF his frenzy. None of their wounds,
however were Of n more than painful character.
This man OF the first to reach the sidewalk
Men and bows fell on the stairways leading from
the galleries and bruised and scratched under
tho heels OF those following them. In all, hftytwo
persons cared for at the two hospitals near
tho theatre. Everybody was outside the burning
structure within two minutes from the time the ire
started.
The widest excitement prevailed tho streets.
ralet rrls In gaurc and tights rushed barcheaded
around. almost all of them hysterical The
fire soon spread TO "Thc Times" annex building,
The assistant city editor. Wilson. grabbed his as
gnment book and started for the elevator. followed
by all Of the editors and reporters. Everybody got
out safely. In the oOmposing-room, where
about seventy five pcope were at work.
r.nte,, rushed from thor cases. no; stop
ping to gather any Of their belongings.
on the sixth floor the Illustrating
Department Of The Tines" and the rooms of the
American Pre- Association. Tho first, second. hri
and fourth fOOrs occupied by De koNkeno %
IIethor.ng gton, art metal workers. Their plant Vas
one Of the valuable Of IFS hind In The ooun;Ty
Al 80 O'Clock the cntife interior hid been burned
ont AZ that hour the west wall and portion OF the
ca st wall fell tho former crushing In large portion Of
the one-story powerh)usc OF the Philadelphia Traction
Compnny The east wall crushed the four-story build
ing occupied by Hamilton Dic-tnger, manufacturing
tevoIl.rs and portions Of several buildings below u
on Eighth4A, between SAMSON and Walnut s's The
new presses u "Tbe Tines are ruined beyond repair
IN Eighth-st. from San'cm 20 Walnut. we're eleven
buildIugs each having several tenants. ThTc" oi
these were completely destroyed and the otMi' were
MI sodlv damaged. Adjoining the thcatrc on
tho wet was the r)ulson lIOuse The ro0f
.,s hurncd and the building ,onked with water Next
ros the bnildng Of the TaggutS sunday Tines IL
oof was burned and the composing room on the top hoo
filed with water. At the old Walnut street Theatre
as there was great danger that the hou'c wond cach
fire. the performance stopped and the audience
quietly dismissed.