New-York tribune., 1903-04-12
FIRE PANIC At KEITHS.
Mang Rash to Street When MoJ1ng
Picture Machine Burns.
FIREMAN REASSURES AUDIENCE.

FIREMAN REASSURES AUDIENCE.
What might have been a serious fire panic at
Keith's Theatre in East Fourteenth-st. last night
was averted by the coolness Of the audience and
the intelligent handling of the crowd by one or
two attendants Of the theatre.
The incident happened shortly after 10.15 o'clock
when the last act except one OF the programme
was or the stage. This was e troupe Of perform
ing dogs. known Gillett's Musical Dogs To fol-
low IT. closing the performance. were stereopucon
views and moving pictures
The box where these views manipulated is
on the balcony floor close TO the ceiling. In the
box which about six feet square. is the moving
picture machine the films used and place for the
operator. Last night the operator was getting
ready for his part of the performance when fuse
blew out in the box and there flash Of blue
fame Instantly the films. which are of cenuioid,
ignited and burned like gunpowder. Then the
flames communicated to the box and to the cur
lans around il. and further still TO the curtains
which screened the way TO the women's retiring
room.
The theatre was well filled with people. At once
cries Of 'Firet'' shouted from different parts
Of the balcony and those In the rear hurried from
their seats and made for the stairway, down when
they rushed to the street. II is good, broad stair
way, and there ample room for ALL so that
there were none injured in the rush Some Of
the people in the OF the orchestra seeing the
crowd huTryiug from upstairs, also left their seats
but the main body OF the audience occupying the
orchestra seats were unaware OF "Hdt was mp
pening behind them
Behind the scenes was Fireman Klbride Of
Truck No. 3. on duty He heard the hubbub in
front and looking from the wings. saw the cause
OF it Hurrying by underground passage ne
reached the front OF the house quickly and ran up
the stairs leading to the balcony. meeting ana
pushing aside the people coming down
On the east wall of the balcony was a hre nose
all ready for just such emergency h1bride got
this turned on . stream of water. climbed up to
the moving picture box. from which the operator
had rreciftately ruulbed when the t,re proht5 o.
and in about TWO minutes had exiting uisLea Lnt'
blaze Then lea ping over the edge OF the DSiCoIIz
he shouted: Keep your seats Ihere Is no UAiie7
There is no fire. . -. 7l
In front of the house was Detective Sergeant John
9erlihv Of the Central Office VINO was taIhIiiS u
S1nerinfendent Pnkton and Special ohlcer Man
ming OF the theatre staff derIlhE ne$iIl.ts Ia
r-se n ssT7i-e,'' ran 10 the box at Broadway ana
T7our4eeu+h-st. and turned in an ala rrn IN 5pout
Tvo minutes ne says. the first enslne--\o- - Al
iEsfeanvhiIe Pinkton and Manning. ascertantng
.t-at The tire was out mingled with the people re
-s+'r t5.ern with such good effect that soon
nersons in the audience were crying; heeP Sou
Font two hundred persons left the theatre IN
- Donic but most Of these returned 10 see me
s eI PpS he performance when the excitement had
S;ad 5ov-r The fremen found nothing LOT ileli ~ ~
W - +ev arrived. Kilbride had done ms Nol n
- - aeFacTvelv As all the films had been ourIeq uP
go fhe electrical attachments 10 lht -
atlu IL tbere was no exhibition OF moving pct
T1res and the performance enced Win me t4i"2"
1eakiug of the behavior Of the audience: scpe+
,,+arGent Pinkton said: II was t. 80 rI1.
every in the aQoltile.ss Aet' ~
in