New-York tribune., 1921-11-28
4 Die, 400 Hurt
In New Haven
Theater Fire
CONTINUED from PAGE onel

Milwaukee; Malcolm H. Frost, Law
renee, Mass. w. l.. Funnel, Stamford,
Conn; r. l.. Tulloch, Orange, N. j.;
John E. Coates jr., Little Rock, Ark,
and John G. Easton, V. B. Lab and j. P
Moore, addresses not known.
Every ambulance in the city was
called to the theater. Every privately
of the city was requsitioned by the
auth horities for ambulance duty. Every
physician in the city was called.
The fire burst out so suddenly and
spread with such rapidity that only
those in the rear of the house had the
slightest chance to escape the rush
for the doors, which ensued immedi-
ately. Those in the center of the
house who emerged bruised, blstercd
and half naked their clothes having
been torn almost from their bodies in
the jam, asserted that they had
trampled on bodies that carpeted the
floor as they drew near the doors.
The theater building is more than
100 years old and is of frame construc-
ton. 1t used to be the College Street
Congregational Church. Twenty-Five
years ago it was sold to Yale Uni
versity and for about twenty years was
used as a music school and auditorium
About six years ago it was sold to the
Rialto Company, which made some
alterations and utilized it as a motion
picture theater.
This evening was the opening pro-
duction of "The Sheik," film play
which had been widely advertised
throughout the city both in the news
papers and in circular letters which
the Rialto Company sent to its patrons
At 7 p. m, when the show started
the house was filled. Its capacity is
from 800 to 1000 persons. Soon after
the music started up the standing room
only sign was hung out by the man
agement. Several score persons were
then standing in the rear of the house,
although it was said that the aisles
were clear.
Lighted Lamps Near Ceiling
The performance started with pro-
logue in which two Of the characters in
the film play are represented by a man
and woman in Eastern costume, who
are seen singing in a harem setting
This scene, according to those who
were in the theater, was lighted by
hanging lamps or incense burners
which swung only a short distance be-
low the ancient wooden ceiling Of the
building.
The screen for the motion picture
itself had been dropped only a few
minutes and the picture had progressed
scarcely beyond the list Of players,
when those in the audience saw smoke
curling around the edge of the screen.
Some of those who saw it thought that
1T merely was part of the stage setting
for the picture, but rustic of appre-
hension swept through the house.
The next moment all ember, glowing
red in the gloom, crashed to the stage
just in front of the screen and from it
arose coil of smoke. The sharp tang
OF burning wood assailed hundreds of
nostrls near the front of the house.
A man in front seat jumped up and
mage nt, ms way hastily up the aisle.
What is it?' a score of voices de-
manded
"Flre!" he responded, according to
woman who got out safely.
100 Yale Students in House
The whole house boiled like a whirl
pool at the word. Every one in the
100 Yale students were in the house.
and most of them were among those
who climbed to the backs Of their
chairs and implored everybody to take
his time and not crowd.
FOR a moment this counsel seemed
to prevail. There are only three exits
on the ground floor, however-one on
the street side and one on each side
OF the house which leads into an alley.
The gallery has but one exit, opening
on a fire escape on the side of the
oulldlng. AT each of the doors leading
to safety jam began to form as soon
as those coming from the sides came
IN contact with the men, women and
children who were making their wav
directly to the doors.
That ended the GOODNESS. Thereafter
1T was every one for himself, excent
comparatively few, most of whom
are said to be Yale students, who still
strove to quiet the panic and to make
way. for the weaker members of the
audience.
The fire leaped half way across the
building within few seconds after