Transcription
DREADFUL FIRE.—ASTLEY’s THEATRE.
It is our melancholy task to have to communicate to our readers the particulars of a most dreadful event.—About half past two o’clock yesterday morning, a thick and black smoke was seen by the watchman to issue out of the back part of ASTLEY’s elegant little Theatre. The alarm was immediately given, and the doors were burst open. No sooner was the air introduced, than the flames broke out in the interior part of the building, in that part where the scenes and machinery are kept. The performances last night were, The Heroine of China and The Invasion. In the latter there is brilliant display of fire-works, illuminations, &c. It is the business of the lamplighters to see that all the lamps are carefully extinguished, more particularly after any entertainment in which there are fireworks. The unusual precautions were, we understand, not taken last night, some of the lamplighters being negligent. Either all the lamps were not extinguished, or some were left burning near the materials used for the making of fireworks. Our readers will easily imagine how rapid the spread of fire must be among such combustible materials, and what food much have been afforded to the flames by the canvas scenery, and the thin wooden partitions and machinery upon the stage. The flames raged with most astonishing fury. The fire engines were immediately sent for; and the populace, who assembled in crowds, ran down to the Thames with buckets and pails, thinking to be of some assistance. Unavailing, however, were their well-meant efforts. Nothing could stop the fury of the fire. Consternation pervaded all the inhabitants of the adjoining houses, which are small. There is a row of small houses, called Amphitheatre-row, the back parts of which almost touch the Theatre. The wretched inhabitants were seen running to and fro, nearly naked, throwing their goods out of the windows, and increasing the horror of the scene by screams and shrieks. The same scene of misery and distress occurred in Phoenix-street, which runs parallel with Amphitheatre-row.—Astley’s Theatre was situated between those streets. In the mean time every effort was made to save as much as possible from the Theatre. The horses were all got out without injury; but it was impossible to save, as we understand, any of the scenery or machinery, the flames were so rapid. The engines arrived as soon as possible, and began playing upon the Theatre, which occupies a considerable depth from the street. Little effect was produced for some time. The fire in the mean tie had communicated to the adjoining houses. Never were firemen more active and unremitting in their exertions; but the houses unfortunately were most of them small and slightly built. Mr. and Mrs. Astley, we believe, were not in town. The mother of Mrs. Astley (Mrs. Woodman) unfortunately was in the house in front of the theatre. She was an old Lady, about 60, and rather infirm. Two Gentlemen, Messrs. Moor and Burnett, made use of every effort in their power to save her. A ladder was raised to the window. She was seen to approach the window, and then to run back on a sudden, as if recollecting something; probably she wished to save some papers or money in the house. As she was coming back to the window a second time, the floor of the room gave way, and she was seen to fall in with it. It was now impossible to save her—she was brunt to death. With a very commendable alacrity the St.
