The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-07-12
BOYS ARE TRAPPED
IN RAGING FLAMES
ATCHARITY BAZAAR
Dummy House Used in Fire.
Fighting Display Becomes
Roaring Furnace
IS A PART OF THE PROGRAM
Crowds Look on Helpless az
Victims Beg to Be Taken
From Upper Windows

Glllingham, Eng. July 12.-(R)-
While laughing thousands watched
what they thought part Of q fire
fighting show, eleven boy naval
cadets and firemen were burned to
death last night. Six were seriously
injured and we're taken to st. Barth-
olomew's hospital in aid Of which the
fete had been held.
A specially erected model house,
designed to be the scene Of a gala
fire brigade rescue spectacle, became
instead the horrifying death trap for
the twelve to fourteen year old boys
who had SO eagerly taken part in the
festival.
The youngsters, dressed in clown
suits. made frenzied efforts to get out
Of the flames. bringing only great ap-
plause from the crowd below all un-
knowing that the realistic acting had
suddenly assumed tragic reality.
Fireman Jack Tabrett, who had
been the blushing veiled bride in
previous mock ceremony. was stand
ing at the top of the flimsy structure
when flames suddenly burst at the
bottom. The crowd cheered and
laughed. glad that the spectacle had
begun. but Tabrett knew that some
thing was wrong for the flames should
have started at the top and the build
ing cleared Of the actors.
Charred Bodies Left
In five minutes the flames had des-
troyed the oil-Soaked canvas and al
that was left were the charred bodies
Of the youths and the gaunt skeleton
Of the model house.
Frantic mothers and fathers crowd.
ed the little mortuary here this morn
ing seeking tho bodies Of their sons.
One tall gray.llaired man stumbled
from the hospital where he had seen
his l3-year-old boy die from burns.
My little boys clothes were all
burned and still smouldering as he
lay on the ground beside the blazing
mass when got here" said the grief
stricken man. only last night he
was asked to take part in the mock
tragedy and was so happy that he
went. even though asked him not
to-"
The bodies were so charred that
they were difficult to identify and
only five Of the eleven dead had been
identified today including man mo-
tor driver who had taken part in the
festival. Ronald Mitchell, previously
reported dead. this morning was re.
ported still alive although critically
injured
Boys Leap To Death
A fireman whose bandaged hands
indicated the part he had taken In
the attempt to rescue the boys said
that never in his experience had he
seen such tragedy.
In the glare Of the blaze" he said.
i saw boys and men leaping from the
roof. They fell 40 feet, their clothes
blazing and Illuminating them as they
came. We could do nothing-to ap-
proach the building was to risk death.
All we could do was to rush close to
the flames and drag away the boys
who had jumped
Arthur Stewart was one of the few
spectators who realized what was
happening, and that 1t was not part
Of the program. He said he would
never forget the scene. "One moment
there were laughing gay hearted boys
dressed in comic costumes playing in
part of the structure. Laughing men
and women stood around and watched
the fun. Then with terrible sudden
ness comedy turned to tragedy"