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Show MOVIE PATRONS ARE TRAMFLEDTO DEATH FALSE FIRE CRY COSTS SIX LIVES IN EAST SIDE THEATRE IN NEW YORK. Paper-Clogged Flue Causes Smoke to Fill the Playhouse, Children Being Crushed Under Foot by Stronger Ones Who Rush From Building. New York. A paper-clogged flue, which caused smoke to fill the Catharine Cath-arine theater, a motion picture house in the east side Italian quarter, raised a cry of "fire" late Sunday and in the ensuing panic six tots, between the ages of 2 to 10 years, were trampled to death. Twelve others were seriously serious-ly injured. The little theater was crowded to capacity. Children filled most of the 800 seats, for the hero of the picture was an Italian lad who rose from humble surroundings like theirs to riches and fame. The youngsters were absorbed in the progress of the screen hero, when smoke began to seep through the cracks of the theater floor. "My God, It's a fire!" This shout came from an elderly woman who gathered a little one under her arm and ran for the nearest exit. Immediately Immedi-ately loud wails arose, children began be-gan to cry. They jumped from their seats, jammed the aisles and fought for passage. The lights flickered out. Youthful cries attracted many residents resi-dents of the Italian neighborhood. Camille Bruille, who sells bananas from a push cart on the Bowery, darted dart-ed into the theater and attempted to shout down the cries. Failing, he carried car-ried more than fifteen tots to safety, then collapsed, overcome by smoke. Some one sounded a fire alarm. Many were overcome by smoke, but soon revived. Frantic women and men, learning of the disaster, crowded before the little theater, at this time guarded by police, and sought news of their children. |