Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-21
LOSS, $4,000.
The Handsome Westbrook
Opera House Burned.
Moving Pictures Audience
Wildly Rush for Exits.
Many Marrow Escapes-very Little
Insurance on Loss.

Portland Me-. Nov 2O-The hand
some Westbrook Opera house was COM
pletely destroyed by fire, last evening.
Besides the theater sumptuously an
pointed lodge rOom including two
pianos also went up in the smoke dis
astrous confla grafton which has Wis.,
tied the city for many years.
The George w. Collins Moving Pic
lures were being exhibited and there
We're about 200 people in the theater
and evenly divided between the lower
floor and balcony. The heat from an
electric light came in contact with the
boxes of films used in the production,
and instantly there was report, fol-
lowed by a succession of other reports
ana the cry OF fire was raised and in-
stantly all was confusion. 1t the mad
struggle for safety. men forgot thar
there were women present and a fren-
zied rush was made for the exits.
Strange to say. no one was seriously
injured. although several were cut or
bruised in the scramble which followed
Only the small number present all
lowed of the safe exit from the burn-
ing theater. In the shortest time
imaginable the entire upper stories
were mass of flame. and although
TIE response Of the fire department was
prompt. the fire had gained good head
way before the first streams of water
were directed upon it,
Tho
Alexander Spiers. publisher of the
Westbrook Chronic:ll Gazette. and the
Portland Transcript which occupy the
lower floors Of the building also suf-
fered from the deluge of water whcf,
was poured on the burning building.
The value of the building with con-
tents is estimated at about $25, 900. and
is but lightly insured. In fact, Mr..
Spiers. who owns the building, adj
mits that $1,000 will cover the amount
of insurance on the contents.
The Opera house was 4 three-s story
wooden building. owned by Alexander.
SDiers. printer and publisher. The
lever story Yves occupied by his print
ing office. an extensive establishment,
i'll which the Chronicle Gazette. a local
weekly. the Success. IA monthly and
tie Portland Transcript. one of Names
Oldest weeklfes. We're published
The Opera house was in the second
story, the main stairway being on the
westerly side of the building. and at
the upper landing was a turn leading
into the hall at the extreme southwest
corner. That was the main entrance.
Near the easterly side Of the stage was
a rear exit. generally used by members
Of theatrical companies. 1t was near
~ as broad = stairway as that leading
to the from end Of the hall. Had it
been otherwise, dea tbs would doubtless
have resulted in the rash of the panic
stilkcn audience. whose exit by way
of the main stairway the flames cut off
The upper story Of the building was
costly fitted up as lodge headquarters.
Eut hal lately been unoccupied. The
building was We'll constructed, and the
two upper stories comfortably and at
tractivcly furnished.
Tie entertainment was well under
Wayand WIS being enjoyed by an au-
dicnce Of 200. A few occupied seats in
the low nosted gallery. which extended
along both sides and across the front
end Of the hall. but most Of the spec
tators were in the 'ioor seats well to-
ward the stage
Suddenly Swapping sound was
heard, followed by a loud report. and
the illuminated Sheet ACROSS the stage
was eclipsed by 4 terrific glare owe"
the gallery rail in front of the hall.
where stood the operator Of the pic
ture machine, frantically endeavoring ,
to beat and stamp out a blaze.
The film roll was afire and the blaze
speedily worked its wav into the recep- |
taclas at either end of the roll. The
fir. was beyond control. the flames roll
ing upward and Pieces of burning films |,
dropping over the gallery rail to the |
floor.
The audience took in the situation at ,
n glance, so did the Eshers and the |
stage hands. Head Usher Lemuel Rabb !!
exercised his lungs vigorously. and the !
three stage hands joined in command /
ing the audience to keep order. and as |
surfing the people that there would be !
plenty o. time for everyone to leave !
the hall in safety.
There being so much fire under the !
gallery near the main exit, escape that !
way seemed out IF the question. The
usters ana stage hands rushed to the
exit near the stage. swung back the 4
doors and shouted to the audience to ,
come on.
Lining UP on either side of the door.
duty. keeping back the crush and in /
sisting that everyone be given chance I
10 get out without fear of falling ana 4
being trampled upon.
Several persons rushed to the side win
iows. pushed them up and were making H
manted to desist and join in the general
out mourning at the rear door. TWO men /
and a woman climbed over the gallery \
rail dropped to the floor apparently I'M /