The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-01
HOW DID 1T START 2?
CHICAGO INTERESTED AS TO THE
CAUSE OF THE FIRE.
BY SPARKS FROM ARC LIGHT.
THAT is THE MOST PROBABLE
CAUSE.

Chicago, Dec. 31.-There was an ami
mated discussion to-day among fire.
men, employees of the theater and
spectators as to the cause of the fire.
Accounts differ to-day as widely as
they varied last night. The theatrical
people are practically a unit in de-
claring that the fire started with an
explosion, and in this they are fatty
contradicted by scores of people in the
audience, who declare they saw the
fire creeping along the edge of the
curtain for several minutes before the
explosion took place. These state
ments are substantiated by the stories
of a number of people who left their
seats after seeing the blaze, and were
well on their way to the street when
overtaken by the frightened rush of
those they had left behind them.
The best evidence obtainabe is to
the effect that the fire was caused by
the sparks from an arc light striking
the edge of the drop curtain, but the
actual fact, however, will not be
known until after the conclusion of
the coroner's inquest. There are so
many. statements at present and they
differ so widely that it is impossible
to ascertain the exact truth of the
matter.
Ordinances Not Enforced.
Although the Iroquois Theater was
undoubtedly the safest theater in Chi
cago, it became evident to-day the
city building department had not
strictly enforced one or two sections Of
the building ordinance.
William Curran, building inspector,
was in the theater only a few moments
before the catastrophe and went away,
saying that everything was in good
condition.
Deputy Building Commissioner Stan
hope went to the theater to-day to
make an inspection. Upon his return |
to the City Hall he said
1.-The theater and it's management |
were strictly within the law. I will not
go into details until l have completed |
my report"
Section 1856 of the local building or
dinance provides that in buildings of |
the class to which the Iroquois Theater |
belong, there shall be a system of au-
tomato sprinklers. There were no |
sprinklers in the theater. and Mr.
Stanhope, when this was called to his |
attention, replied
There was no sprinkler system in |
the theater but the provision about |
the iron doors made it unnecessary for
the theater to have Them"
Was No Fire Alarm Here.
Section 1879 of the ordinance pro-
vides that theaters be equipped with
fire alarms connected with the city fire |
alarm system. City Electrician Hy-
land said: THE Iroquos had no fire
alarm connection with the city alarm !
system. No application is on file for
any such connection"
The alarm of fire, in fact, was turn
ed in from a box over half block dis
tant from the theater.
The law provides also that there
shall be a ventilating shaft at the rear
of the stage, which will conduct flames
and smoke away from the auditorium
in lust such emergencies as arose yes
terday. The Iroquois Theater possess
ed no such ventilating shaft.
Want Theaters Closed.
From the action Of committee OF
prominent architects of Chicago to-
night may result a recommendation 20
Mayor Harrison to close every theater
in the city until it's exits and con-
struction have been examined. This
idea was suggested to President Beau
mont of the Chicago Architects Asso-
citation to-day by w. A. Pridmore, an
architect who lost some relatives in
the fire. President Beaumont refused
to personally make the recommended
ton to Mayor Harrison, but called an
informal meeting Of the association, at
which It was decided that a larger
gathering Of the members would be
held tomorrow and action at that
time would be decided upon.
Mayor Harrison said tonight:
IL see no more reason for closing all