Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-05-13
lTFR A HUNDRED PER|SHED
an Appalling Calamity at a
a. 4 Charity Bazaar.
VICTIMS WOMEN AND CHILDREN


Paris, May 6.-Fire broke out at 2.
N in a crowded charitable bazaar in
The Rue Jean Goujon, at which the
duchess d'Uzes and several well-known
atronesses were present.
The building in which the fire broke
mt was a temporary structure of wood.
The flames we're first discovered above
tall occupied by the Duchess d'Uzes,
rbile the place was densely crowded.
The bazaar is an annual function pre-
,ided over by the leaders of Partisan
! ,,io.y There was wild rush for the
,yits, and older persons were borne
iOwn and trampled upon. The inflam-
mable nature of the building and its
,ontents caused the flames to spread
with great rapidity, and in short time
hire bazaar was a mass of flames. The
bodies of thirty victims of the conf1a-
grafton, mostly women, were recov-
srpd and laid out on the sidewalk,
where the corpses formed CHASTITY
ipeCtacle.
The number of injured is greater
than first estimated. Over 100 persons
have been conveyed to the Hotel du
Palais, in the Cour de la Raine, but
many critical cases have been trans
ported to the Hospital Beaugon. The
policeman on duty at the doors of the
bazaar says from 800 to 1900 people
we're in the building when the fire
broke out.
The alarm caused a rush for the
doors, which were soon choked with
people, this preventing the escape of
many who might otherwise have been
saved. Heart-rending cries arose, soon
followed by shrieks of agony as the
flames swept upon the crowds strug-
Cling for exit.
Further details just obtained show
that before the firemen could arrive
the roof of the bazaar crashed in, bury
ing numbers OF those who had been
unable to make their egress from the
building.
Very soon after the alarm was given,
assistance hurried to the burning build
ing, and effective help was rapidly
organized by the firemen and police
men. Although a general alarm was
sent out with reasonable promptness,
the whole wooden structure was blaz-
ing before the tiremen could approach.
The roof and almost the whole build
Ing collapsed, falling upon the unfortu-
nate people. Many of them are sup
posed to have previously succumbed to
the sitting smoke.
In spite of the efforts of the firemen,
some time elapsed before the charred
bodies could be pulled from the smoke
and burning mass of debris covering
the spot which but short time before
mad been the scene of so much gaiety.
AS the work progressed and the in
qulrles became more numerous and
pressing, 1t was seen that the death rate
would be much higher than at first es-
timated.
one hundred corpses have been laid
out In the Palals de l'Industrie. 1t is
believed another hundred are beneath
!he ruins. The building was erected
IN the hlmsiest manner, the nudity OF
.ne scatfolding inside being concealed
W tapestry OF the most infiammable
description.
Inc bazaar was in full swing when
suddenly about o'clock the CRY OF
nfe rose in the quarter where the kin.
''emasraph was being exhibited.
ohe OF the survivors tells to the cor
'espOndent ,..O of the press his experience:
The place was crammed full of peo.
PIE and the heat was sitting. Being
very uncomfortable. my friends and
uelermlned to leave, but somehow we
.Uulu not make much headway through
'ne e,., tnrong toward the door. l stayed
ll'tle behind, as l was offered nose.
8" Dy stall holder, when of a sudden
m aTe shout of fire was raised. Instantly
all was cOmmotion.
T.. we trled to keep cool, but the rush
,,. mom behind forced us forward and we
v were separated. Then tried to work
sa. as way back, but l was carried off my
;ee' ana carried backward and forward
~ ~ 'iie swaying crowd. l lost my hat,
oael ',en coat was torn off, and then waist
vat, A. All this happened in few seconds
Immediately the full extent of the
ssa,amity dawned upon us all. The
,%s ialnes spread with startling rapidity
,n ,n.Uughout the whole building, which
ruiOled like living furnace, but the
Jl dp'o"r OF the confiagration could moi
;.os ,oTh the grOans and cries of the agon.
0radually found myself pushed
'JA against the wall of the building,
hnally succeeded in scrambline
,boO bOusi an opening made by some o.
la. ,Ose VINO We're near me. Ten second,
ba'r 'ei would have been a victim, fo,
basoy buiy mad struggled through tile hol,