| Citation |
BNL.772.042
10 Sep 1772:11 (3497 Supplement)
London, May 30. . . A different account from what has
appeared in print is now circulated of the late dreadful
fire, which happened at the Flemish theatre in Amsterdam.
This account says, that the fire was not an accidental one,
but that the house being excessively crouded, great numbers
who were disappointed of admission fastened up all the doors
except the stage entrance, and then deliberately set the
building on flames, thro' a malicious desire of compelling
those to a disagreeable retreat across the stage who were
accommodated with places. The incendiaries never considered
that the moment the fire was discovered the confusion would
be universal, and of course prevent numbers from escaping;
this really turned out to be the case, and the ministers of
justice are now diligently searching after the persons
concerned in the unexampled act of wanton barbarity.
We have the pleasure to inform our readers that the
calamity attending the late fire at the playhouse at
Amsterdam was not so bad as has been represented; for by a
printed account received by yesterday's mail, it appears
that thirty-one persons only perished on that melancholy
occasion.
During the fire at the play-house at Amsterdam, a
desperate gang of villains tore and cut from the hands,
necks, and ears of the living, as well as the dead and dying
ladies, diamonds and other jewels to a very great amount.
Some among the the unfortunate ladies who narrowly escaped,
give a variety of dismal anecdotes, one of which is worthy
of notice, viz. a gentleman, no less distinguished by birth
and fortune than by the integrity of his character, was
heard, in the midst of his distress, to offer publickly a
gratuity of 50,000 crowns (5000l. sterling) to any person
rescuing his wife (whose hold he lost thro' the violence of
the throng) from the jaws of death; the attempt appearing
impracticable, he was also heard to say, he could also be
heard to say, he could not but share the same fate with his
wife;--he turned back, threw himself in her arms, and both
fell, in this affecting position they were dug from under
the ruins the next morning.
|