Show WHEN THE FIRE STARTED flame was a small one but could not be extinguished the police today vigorously pushed their inquiry into the causes of the fire and mado several arrests of the stage hands among them william me mullen the operator for ane light which started the fire he was locked up at the central station and wll son kerr a fly roan at the theater was also placed in a cell fifteen members of the double oc which takes part in the song in the pale moonlight have been placed under arrest by the police miss romagne being the sole one who has so far eluded the detectives they are wanted as witnesses and there Is no charge against any of them orders were by chief of police tonight that none of the fifteen would bo released unless a bond of waa furnished me mullen the light operator underwent a searching examination this afternoon his story yas as follows f s 1 I waa standing on the iron bridge at the right side of the stage from which the shot ligh Is operated the lamp seemed in good condition but in the middle of the second act just as I 1 changed from a light fo a blue one the arc the carbons sputtered and jumped A spark struck tho frayed edge on the inside of the border atthe curtain drapery A hame which I 1 should say was about twelve inches long shot up I 1 abandoned the lamp and clapped my hand upon the flames but they spread in spite of me I 1 called to have the fire curtain lowered and yelled to the house fireman 0 o help me he came with a patent fire extinguisher which had no effect on the flames finally I 1 jumped from the bridge to the stage Allt tle child in one of the front boxes bad already been badly burned I 1 seized her and carried her out and then returned to the theater I 1 worked pulling people out of the choked exits until it was impossible to stay any longer e arrest ot the police believe they have athe last important witness among aho theater employed emp loyes who jre essential to a complete inquiry at the coroners ast |