The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-17
THEATRE FIRE PANIC AYERTED
MANAGER BUSINESSES AUDIENCE
BEFORE RINGING ALARM.
PIaysocrs We're Doubtful When Told OF
small Blaze In Newark Theatre
BuilCllng--House Is Emplied Win
Little Excitement--FIre soon out.

DuilulnE--HCUSc IL WIN
Little Excitement-FIre soon Out.
An audience which filed the Newark
Theatre in Newark last night at per-
Torrance OF Way Down East was dis
missed at the end Of the first act after a
small fire had been discovered in the cellar
under the front end Of the main entrance.
No smoke had then appeared in the body
of the house, but Fireman John r. Lavery
OF Engine 10, who had been on duty on the
stage, wa- unable to control the little blaze,
which bai been started by electric light
wires.
70 avoid the certain panic which would
have resulted from the arrival of engines
and the entrance OF firemen, Manager Leo
0ttoler gu insisted upon emptying the
theatre before sending in the alarm. Fire
man Lavery saw the force OF the argument
and kept a stream from a chemical e1-
tinguisher on the blaze until the curtain
was rung down. The delay In summoDing
the engines caused no danger, as the fire
was 100 feet from the main auditorium.
Soon as the act ended Manager Otto
lengui stepped to the front OF the stage
after having ordered all exits and fire
escapes made ready, and calmly said to
the audience:
Smoke has been discovered in distant
part Of the house. We have not been able
to locate its origin. There Is no danger
but as a precautionary measure / have
decided to dismiss the audience by request
ing you to leave quietly, but at once. There
is plenty OF time and no need OF rushing
or jamming. Seat coupons will be honored
at other performnnce s."
Only about half of the audience made
move to leave. The others sat still or stood
as II undecided. Manager Ottolengui was
obligedto repeat the request, and even then
the top gallery people would not quit their
seats
we don't see no smoke; where Is it?'
some one shouted.
Never mind where il is, want you all
to get outl- yelled back Ottolengui in no
uncertain tones. Then the gallery crowd
made rlsh and tore down several flights
of stairs and into Beaver street. Some
hats and coats were broken and torn but
no one was hurt Meanwhile the crowd
in the balcony left the house in orderly
fashion by way Of an emergency exit lead
ing to Beaver street.
The larger part OF the audience was on the
main floor. Ii filed out quickly, but without
any unusual crushing or any great show
Of excitement. though two women tainted
and had TO be carried. Several others
complained afterward OF having forgotten
furs and wraps in their hurry to get out.
Immediately after Ottolengui made the
announcement q dismissal Fireman Lavery
sent in an alarm from tie private bo1 in
the theatre. and when about one-half the
audience had got into Market street
a dozen engines. trucks and other fire
apparatus dashed UP to the theatre. This
caused more excitement among the people
in the street than they had shown In the
theatre.
The FIRE caused less than $50 damage and
was easily extinguished. 1t was discovered
by an employee OF the house, who saw
puff OF smoke coming through an open
doorway lea ding into the main foyer from
the cellar. He Immediately closed the
door, made bis way to Manager Ottolengui'e
ofiioe and told what no had seen.
When the members OF the theatrical
were told Of the fro and that
there was little danger they merely got
their belongings together for a quick exit
in case IL were necessary. The Newark
Theatre is leased by Hyde Behman. 1t is
owned by the Barry Miner estate