Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-01-14
Can the Theater Fire Be Pre-
vented?

The panic and horror of collision at
sea, with the terrible roar of the engulf-
ing water. is only exceeded by that
most pitiful of calamities-the theater
fire. The very idea of the house OF
mirth being turned into holocaust
must appeal most strongly TO even the
hardest heart. The painful accident at
the Iroauois Theater, Chicago, on the
afternoon of December 80, 1903. when
nearly 600 people were killed and some
hundreds injured, is SO very recent in
the minds of all that it is unnecessary
to dwell en- the narrowing incidents OF
that awful scene Suffice to say that
the fire ia the third worst on record, the
Ring Theater in Vienna. where S75 lives
were lost, being the worst.
The question of theater fires has re-
ceived exhaustive treatment abroad.
Out of SIC theater fires of which we
have record, 4G0 were burned in the
hundred years, 1777 to 1877. These figures
The average life Of an American thea
rer at this period was only eleven to
thirteen years, but freproof construc-
tion has certainly doubled the life OF
the structures. Strange to say, the dan
ger is only doubled during the perform
suces, owing to the great watchfulness
displayed while tie audience is in its
seats. Mr.. w. Paul Gerhard, c. E.,
writing in the Scientific American Sup
plement. says:
ssThe lives of people in theaters.
whether spectators. actors. musicians.
chorus singers, ballet girls or stage
hands, are. therefore, endangered:
Il. BY smoke. fire gases, heat, as
phyxia, exhaustion.
''2. By fire burns.
''3. By jams. knocking over, falling
down stairs. trampling, crush.
"a. BY direct shock or fright.
IS. By accidents, such as the falling
Of the central chandelier.
1.-THE long list of theaters DESTROYED
by fires breaking out during perform
snce. and the numerous instances OF
fires breaking out during these hours,
but which are put out before spreading,
are proof sufficient that the dangers
spoken of are constantly threatening
the theater-going public.
The third cause is quite as likely to
result in death as the second, and
seems wholly unnecessary If proper
means are p divided for quick and or
Derby exit. Mr.. Gerhard further says
IF only plenty of exits are provided
% that, under all circumstances. the
whole audience. even when frightened
and suddenly thrown into a state Of
high mental excitement, can leave the
building inside of two or three minutes,
the fire-resisting qualities of the build
ing are Of less consequence, as regards
the safety Of the persons in the theater
In fact, theater inferior in point oi
construction, but having exits as above
described, would be safer than one built
thoroughly fireproof, but otherwise moi
wen arranged and not provided with
sufficient stairs and exits, and where,
therefore, in case of false or real
alarm of fire, or panic from g., " canse,
the people would be necessarily in grave
peril"
In nearly all cities the regulation OF
the building of theaters is under the
building department, but the fire de-
-partment should have voice as well.
After construction, the theater is under
the jurisdic ton of the fire and police
departments, who jointly look out for
the safety Of the public, the police at
the front OF the house and the fremen
behind the curtain. We might give
endless rules for the construction Of
safe playhouses, bur our hand is stayed
when we consider that apparently every
safeguard known to modern science had
been lavished on this theater, which had
been opened less than five weeks. 1t is
credibly stated that large sums had been
spent to render the house immune from
the very enemy which destroyed it.
Still, the fact remains that one of the
worst tragedies Of modern times. in
volving q greater loss than the Spanish
American war, occurred in 'freproof"
building in broad daylight Whatever
may be the verdict which fixes respoDs-
ibility, one thing is certain - the fire
curtain must be 30 stiffened that no
draught can belly it out so that it can
bind or leave its groove. 1t must be ar
ranged 30 that it can be tripped from
the stage or the auditorium by purely
mechanical means, very strongly and
reliably constructed. The mechanism
should be designed 80 that in case of
any breakdown the curtain at once falls
to the danger position. Possibly steel
girder spanning the proscenium and
working vertically in well-oiled metal
channels would be sufficient to carry a
reinforced curtain, whose edges are
anchored to the channels at regular in
tervals by steel guides. The fireproof
wall should be extended up to meet the
girder at the stage Possibly two cur
tains would minimize the danger. Wood
should be excluded absolutely from the
stage, except where required by the
scenery, and then it should be fireproof-
ed. 1t is imperative that freproof
paint be used, and that all games and
scenes drop and borders) be impregnat-
ed with chemicals. Asbestos can be
freely used in properties, and wire rope
should be substituted for ordinary ropes
wherever possible. Accommodations Of
scenery should be avoided, and dressing
rooms and all workshops and paint
shops ghould be located In adjacent
buildings connected by one fire door.
The most modern fire appliances, such
as sprinklers, should be provided; and
lastly the inspection should be eternal.
Even then. would there be any guar
antee Of immunity from loss of life by
panic or fire? No; there is not; but we
could at least fesl that every human
resource had been exhausted. Sci. Am.
The Death Angel.