The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-05-12
gHteIlfgemaaf,
Two Hundred Persons Burned.

PARIS, May 4.-Thc grand bazaar
de charlie, which was inaugurated
yesterday, ended this afternoon in a
disaster which caused the loss of at
least 200 lives and which has thrown
many of the best known families of
France and other continental countries
into mourning. a fire started in the
Aimsy structure in which the bazaar
was being held, and in a few minutes
the whole place was a heap Of ashes,
in which were the bodies of many of
the leaders of continental society and
of women prominently identified with
charitable work. The building was
only a temporary one, being built
simply of planks and cloths. The
bazaar was held by a representative
syndicate Of the chief charitable insti-
tutions of the city, which every year
unite for the purpose of selling all
kinds of articles which are devoted to
the relief of the poor. The receipts
each year have amounted to about
1000, 900 francs. The bazaar was
under the patronage of the leaders of
society and many Of the stall holders
were ladies of rank.
The fire started at half-past4 o'clock
in the cinomatograph installation,
which was near the stall of the Ouch
esse d Uzes. 1t is supposed to have
originated from an imperfectly insula-
ted electric wire. There were fully
1900 persons attending the bazaar,
and the moment the cry of fire
was raised, there was a fearful panic.
A wild rush was made for the exits,
which quickly became blocked with
struggling masses Of humanity, and
many Of those seeking to escape
were knocked down and trampled
to death, while others were sufo-
Gated in the awful crush. 1t was
at first thought that the loss of life
would not exceed 30, as that number
of dead were speedily recovered and
laid side by side on the ground, but it
took little further search to reveal the
fact that the catastrophe was of far
wider extent and that the death list
would be far in excess of that number.
In addition to those who were crushed
or sufocated, it appears that many
others who might otherwise have
escaped were caught under the roof.
which collapsed in a few minutes after
the fire started, the uprights support
ing it having burned away.
From stories told by survivors, it is
learned that the dresses Of a number
of ladies caughtfr before they scarcely
| had an opportunity to attempt an es-
cape and their shrieks of agony as
they ran hither and thither in blind
terror added to the panic. They ran
into the crowds near the exits and in
this manner the fire was communicated
to the clothing Of persons who either
persisted miserably or were frightfully
burned.
So far as can be learned, about 500
persons were enveloped in the flames,
the Others in the building having
managed to effect their escape before
the fire gained Roadway. One hun
dred and fifty seriously injured per-
sons have been taken to the hospitals
or are being treated at their homes.
The ruins are still smoking, and
until they have cooled off sufficiently
to allow Of a thorough search being
made, it will be impossible to know
the exact number of the victims.
LONDON May 4.-The Times says
that many foreigners were among the
stall keepers. including a number of
English and Americans. 1t adds that
it is feared that some of them are