13 MAY 1911, Page 3

We greatly regret to have to record a terrible disaster

at Edinburgh, resulting in the loss of nine lives by fire at the Empire Theatre, on Tuesday night. The fire broke out during the last " turn," an elaborate spectacular sketch, given by the American variety artist known as " The Great Lafayette " and his company. Owing to the admirable discipline of the officials, the courage of the manager, and the heroism of the orchestra, who went on playing to reassure the audience, a panic was averted, and the house was emptied in a few minutes. Unhappily, the fire spread with such rapidity on the stage that three of the performers, three musicians, and two of the scene-shifters were cut off, while Lafayette himself lost his life in the attempt to save a favourite mare.