Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-12
FIRE IN THEATER
FORCES THRONC TO
MAKE HASTY EXIT
lyceum Blaze Almost Causes
Panic Among 1,800-Dam-
age, $4,000.

An audience of 1900 persons in Ly-
ceum Theater at Pennsylvania avenue
and nth street. witnessing a wres-
Ting bout shortly before u o'clock
last night. found it necessary to make
a hasty exit because of fire. At first
there was a show of excitement, some
person in the upper gallery. where the
fire originated, making an outcry. DC
cupants of seats in that part of the
house started for the exits, and there
was danger of a panic. but Inspector
Frank NJ Pratt of the fire marshals
office quieted the audience
Inspector Pratt was there in line OF
duty, the fire marshal having a mem
Der of his force on hand at all such
entertainments, and as soon as he
heard the cry of Fire" he advanced
to the front of the stage. displayed
his badge and told his hearers to
leave the building quietly. They did
as he suggested. and the 1,SOO persons
filed out in safety.
Four Alarms Sounded.
Fire extinguishers and the nose IN
the building were used by Inspector
Pratt and Fireman J. H shrimp of No:
the hose interfered with their work
and the flames quickly spread. Four
alarms were sounded, calling COM
panies of firemen from all sections of
the city. and Chief Wagner took
charge of his men, directing their
movements in an effort to prevent
damage to surrounding property.
Chief Wagner said he feared the en-
tire block would be doomed if the fire
got out of the theater building, and the
chief praised his men for their sue
cessful efforts. The fire burned
through the roof of the building and
left the structure in such condition
that it probably will be several weeks
before it can be restored to permit
resumption of business.
Diners in Harvey's, in the building
adjoining the theater. found it neces-
sary to leave the building on account
of smoke The fire did not reach the
building. however, and business was
interrupted only during the time the
smoke annoyed patrons
Manager Checks Excitement.
Jack Garrison, manager of the
theater. moved about in the auditorium
while the fire was in progress arr or
all in his power to allay excitement,
while a number of employees were en-
gagged in the work of saving scenery
and other property. One man leaped
from the third to the second gallery,
landed on the railing and wavered as
if he would fall below. but a man in
the audience pulled him in.
Fire Marshal Watson and Deputy
kire Marshal SelO MADE careful eX-
of the structure today and
estimated the damage to the building
at $4,000. Damage to the contents
was placed at $1,000. Fire Marshal
Watson said he thought lighted Gig
arctic dropped on the floor had caused
the fire.
The building is owned by the En-
pire Circuit Company and the loss is
fully covered by insurance.
A colored soldier was an early morn
ing visitor to the damaged building.
He had occupied a seat in the upper
balcony last night and had neglected
to take his overcoat with him when
he hurried out His coat probably
was destroyed.
Lyceum Theater, Familiarity known
to older residents Of the city as The
alter Comique, and later as Kernan's,
was dancing academy years ago and
was the scene of Inaugural balls Of
Eve Presidents. Part Of the building
was occupied as a plumbing estab-
lishment by Alexander H. Shepherd
and John w. Thompson, while Carusi's
one of the most prominent
places of it's kind in the city before
the civil war. was in a building in
rear of the dancing academy.