Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-08-06
FIRE PROBE
IS STARTED. TODAY
Operator Sticks to Post, Pre-.
venting Spread of Flames
During Panic.

Captain c. Albert GaSser of the
bureau of combustibles, today started
an investigation to ascertain the or
igin of the fire in the Warren Square
Moving Picture Theatre, at 1856 War.
rem street, last night, which threw
200 persons into a panic. Due to the
numerous exits. there was no one re-
ported seriously hurt, despite the mad
scramble to escape from the show
house.
The audience had settled down to
be thrilled and Mortified by "A White
Slaves Experiences" which were be-
ing shown on the screen. Suddenly
the pictures disappeared and just as
abruptly the creepy sort Of music that
accompanies these villainous deeds, or
pictures, stopped, too.
Miss Florence Lissner, daughter of
the proprietor, was playing the piano
and her fingers were suspended over
the keys while she turned around to
see what the trouble was.
Others looked in the same direction
and learned the cause of the red glow
which appeared on the screen. The
operators sheet-iron workroom was
a mass of flames. Then followed the
cries of children and the mad dash to
escape. Children and women were
pushed aside and a few fell to the
floor in the rush for the exits, but be-
fore anyone could be seriously hurt
the theatre was emptied.
Film Operator Is a Zero.
In the meantime, George Daddo, the
operator, proved himself a hero. AL
though surrounded by thousands of
feet of burning film, he stuck bravelyl
to his post and piled the blaze with
the fire-extinguisher in his work
room. Daddo, who is 32 years old,
lives at 504 South Eleventh street, was
burned about the hands, face and
body, but courageously kept up the
fight on the blaze.
The operator was well-nigh ex-
hausted when he was rescued from
his narrow furnace by Fireman John
Hines, of Engine Company No. 20, and
Fireman John Farley, of Engine Com
pany No. %, who were both off duty
and near the theatre when they heard
the cries of fire. Michael Mahony. of
1853 New street, assisted the firemen
in liberating the operator.
/ The victim was taken to the City
Hospital, where his burns were
dressed, and, despite the advice of
physicians, he insisted upon being re-
moved to his home.
Exits Thrown Wide Open.
The rescuers then continued the
| work of putting out the fire until the
arrival of the apparatus. Serious in
| jury to several of the spectators was
probably prevented by Samuel Liss-
ner. of 149 South Sixth street, the pro-
prietor of the show house. who or
/ dered all exits thrown wide open at
| the first cry of fire. One woman, who
gave her name as Mrs. Catherine
| Hynes, of 1854 Central avenue, tainted
in the rush, but was revived quickly
when she reached the open air. -
The proprietor had to contend with
another disturbance after the blaze
had been extinguished. The 200 per-
| sons who paid the admission fee to
| learn the white Slaves Expert
ences" were disappointed and de-
manded their money back. This was
refused and rush was made on the
ox-office, where the girl cashier
cowed in fear. The arrival of Plain
clothesmen Mcclure and Conlon, Of
the Second precinct, prevented further
| trouble. -