The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1916-10-24

VExOK0 EOI oCtSIu
ing Brands Started Fires at Sew
erAl Distant Points-Thousands of
People Watch Spectacular Flames.
The fire which started in the Au-
ditorium yesterday afternoon, short
" after three o'clock, was the most
spectacular that has been seen in
this city for a number Of years;
cloud after cloud of dense, black
smoke arose from the burning build
ing and lowered over the buildings in
the near vicinity, becoming SO thick
In some of them that it was neces-
sary to turn on the lights in order to
rec. 1t was the hardest fire to con-
troll that the fire company has en-
countered for many years, the di1fi-
Guilty being in getting TO it, as only
narrow driveways separated the
burning building from the two ad-
joining buildings.
How the fire started is something
that no one can tell; different theor-
les are offered by different persons,
but no one in reality can tell, and the
suggestions advanced are only the
Surmises of those who offer them.
The first evidence of fire was discov-
cred about twenty minutes after
three o'clock, near the galleries OF
the Auditorium, this evidence con-
sisting Of smoke issuing from the
door. Some persons believe the fire
started in that portion of the build
ing nfh0rS think
way, originated in connection with
the building of the fire in the steam
heating apparatus, While others adj
vance the theory that the heat from
the pipes caused the woodwork, al
some point of contact, to ignite. Ii
the fire started under the floor, on
account of elevation of the floor to
the rear of the building, the smoke
would naturally have swept back to-
ward the galleries, this being the
highest point of elevation between
the two floors, and the smoke na,ur-
ally filing this opening before be-
ginning to force it's way through the
top floor.
Almost Immediately following the
sounding of the alarm, it became i'm
possible to enter the building, sc
danse did the smoke become on the
inside: few persons made their
v1y into 1t, but were quickly com
1olled t., seek relief in the open air
the meantime the flames ate their
: fo(l L. cor md the whole
n11ding became SETTLING mass OF
Names. Practically everyone realiz
q that 1t would be impossible tc
ave the building, once the flames
gained any Roadway, as the interior
consisted of frame work nlateria
that burned as freely as dry paper
while on the stage were oiled cur
tains and scenery that stood within
the path of the fire, only awaiting
the first wave of flames to be in
cluded in the list of its prey.
The Auditorium was built abou
1885 or 1886, as a skating rink, -anC
after having been successfully oper
ated for q few years, the roller
skating fever abating somewhat, i
was sold to stock company, known
q the Cambridge Auditorium Com
pany. It was rebuilt by this com
pany and was opened the night O
October 18th, 1.-THE Octaroon" being
the FIRST presentation. The compan!
operated with varied success unit
the starting of moving pictures, whel
tn investment became profitable.
little over year ago the Auditorium
and Grand Opera House, a new place
which had been started to compet'
With them, merged, since which tim
the Auditorium has not been opel
regularly. Last night was to hav
bean the opening night of the Co
lumbia Stock Company, which ha'
bean booked for a weeks engage
mont.
The loss on the building and it
furnishings is estimated at aroun
$500, with insurance of $3.50. TIL
Columbia Stock Company lost all Q