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Show FIREPROOF THEATER BURNS. One at Basol is Completely Destroyed by Fire. GENEVA, Oct, 8. Fire hno destroyed tho theater at Basel. It wus the finest playhouse ln Switzerland, but only four blackened walls remain. Thero was no loss of life, as fortunately tho fire occurred oc-curred nt 2 o'clock ln the morning. Modeled on the Neuo theater ln Vienna, Vien-na, It seated 1600 persons, contained the latest fireproof appliances and possessed exits everywhere. After tho performance Thursday night everything was left ln order and supposed sup-posed safety, the fire curtain being lowered. low-ered. The fire began, as ln the Iroquois theater at Chicago, behind the stage, and within a short time the safety curtain cur-tain melted. Then the dro spread to the stalls and galleries, the roof falling ln within half an hour. Two firemen were Injured seriously and were carried to tho hospital. Tho walls of the theater were very thick, otherwise tho ilnanclal los3 would have been much more serious. I The theater was insured for $15,000, but the. scenery' and wardrobes of tho artists were not insured. A valuable library and tho musical Instruments and costumes wero destroyed. The cause of tho flro was a short circuit cir-cuit in an electric wire. |