New-York tribune., 1909-02-16
THREE HUNDRED DIE
In THEATRE FIRE
4NERICANS AMONG THE
LOST IN ACAPULCO.
MoUing Picture Film Catches Fire
Bodies Burned to Crisp-Nar-
rozc E.its ChOked 1Cifh Dead.


Mexico City. Feb. 15-Between ESQ snd 500
persons were burned to death and many were
injured in fire which destroyed the Flores
Theatre in the city of Acapulco last night
Several Americans were among the victims
The news Of the disaster reached this capital
this afternoon. telegraphic communication with
Acapulco having been destroyed last might.
owing to the fact that the telegraph ONCE ae-
joining the theatre was burned
The Flores Theatre wooden structure-
Over a thousand persons crowded into IL last
night to witness a special performances given IN
honor Of Governor Damian Flores. Of the stats
of Guerrero who was visiting the city. One ot
the numbers OF the programme consisted Of q
series Of moving pictures While these we're
being exhibited. a film caught IRE. and blaze
was quickly communicated 10 SONS bunting
which had been used for decorative purposes
In an incredibly short time the flames spread
to all parts of the structure. There were only
three narrow exits. and the panicstricken audi
ence rushed to them Many fell and wers
crushed to death. their bodies choking the way
of escape to others.
The screams OF those imprisoned were tsrrify-
ing. Owing to the rapidity with which the 1re
spread and it's intense heat it impossible 70
attempt rescue work. and those imprisoned wsrs
roasted alive. as the fire burned with little
smoke and few were sufTocated. The efforts of
the fire department were confined TO attempting
to save the adjoining buildings. and they sue
ceeded so that the property loss was small The
telegraph Office. postofics and custom house
we're damaged. but all OF the governments rec
ords and registered mail saved
Pftiful scenes witnessed the streets OF
the little West coast port. Men. women and
children are wandering from place to place
hunting for relatives friends. Many OF the
dead members of the leading families Of the
state, the performance being social entertain
ment of Importance. which attracted the wealth.
Test and oldest families for miles around In
some instances entire families perished.
The municipal authorities caused large
trenches to be dug o-day. in which bodies wers
laid According to kilograms received from
there recognition of the dead has been an i'm
possibility. owing to the fact that the bodies
were burned, in most cases. to a crisp.
kilograms sent to the American Consul at
Acapulco asking for the names Of the American
dead have as yet not been answered
Acapulco derives its name from a corruption and
abbreviation OF Aqus PulchrR. Beautiful Waters
II is a town of only about four thousand inhaol-
tants. lying on the Pacific Coast in Guerrero Mex
leo. 81 miles southwest OF the City OF Mexico, OF
which it was formerly the seaport on account OF
the excellence Of it's harbor. It then the chief
centre Of with the Philippine Islands.
the City of Mexico and San Bias robbed It OF It's
prestige
The most tragic theatre fire IN recent years
the burning of the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago
January 1904. when 5F6 lost their lives
There a conflict of opinion TO the cause OF
great fatality. The management blamed tbs
audience for starting a fatal panic II was con-
tended. the other hand. that the theatre
inadequateIy provided with exits.
A disaster almost appalling as that at this
Iroquois Theatre was the burning OF Conways
Brooklyn Theatre December 5. 1876, when rs
lives were lost Kats Claxeon was playing thsrs
in The Two Orphans'' at the time The theatrs
was crowded. A lantern fell from the upper part
OF the stage some high inhammabls canvas
scenery. The flames burst cut IN an instant and
a mad panic followed Many bodies were never
identified
In the great Vienna disaster. in 1881. the burning
Of the Ring Theatre. nine hundred lives were lost
Again panic and improper precautions wers respou-
sble The fire here also. was caused by the falling
Of q lamp on the stage
Another horror recent was the burning Of
the Paris Charity Bazaar IN 1881. when one hundred
and fifty persons were killed
one hundred and fifty persons lost their lives n
the burning of the Rhoades Opera House At Boy
erstown PENN on January Il Of last year Many
OF those who perished were visitors IN the town
seventy-hve were injured by leaping from win
dows A majority OF the audience were members
Of St Johns Lutheran Church, OF BOyerstown-
and OF the Sunday school. who were present 20
witness hve-aet tabeau, The Scottish RefoTTna-
tIoD'' The monetary loss was about $4,000
On November g OF last year the old Park The-
atre In Brooklyn burned. shortly after ths
matinee audience had departed The loss was
about S115.O0e
Perhaps one Of the most marvellous escapes non
a great fatality I'm theatre FIRE occurred on De-
cember q of IasS when the Herald Square
Theatre caught fire. Just the audience was
leaving after performance Of The Three Twins.
The GOODNESS of the orchestra leader. who continued
10 plav while the smoke and flames eurled over
head and the quick work OF the police averted a
panic The fire destroyed the balcony and ths
front Of the building No was injured. The
damage was placed at $1,000
SCHOOL SYSTEM BLAMED FOR DEATHS.