"Fire was raging, above and below."
One Female and Thirteen Male Figures.
This tableau is a representation of a dwelling house on fire, with the
heroic firemen engaged in their various duties in their attempts to
extinguish the flames. A front view of the building is exhibited, from
which smoke and flames are seen issuing. At the window of the second
story, a fireman stands, with an infant in his arms. A ladder is
placed against the outside of the window, and a fireman is ascending
it. The engineer stands on the steps of the mansion, giving his
orders. A fireman is breaking in one of the lower windows with an axe.
At the left of the tableau is seen part of the engine. Space will not
allow the showing of more than one third of the machine; but by
manufacturing a temporary frame, on which the front wheels, brakes,
bell, and buckets can be attached, and placing it at the edge of the
stage, with the firemen at the brakes, the effect will be quite
sufficient. The men on the front brakes should be in a stooping
position, those behind standing erect. Two pipe-men are seen in the
foreground, with pipes, which they point to the burning building;
others are passing out articles of furniture from the windows. The men
must be costumed in showy fire suits. Alarm bells should be sounded
behind the scenes, and a representation of fire made by burning a red
fire at the side of the stage, behind the scenery of the burning
house. This scenery can be formed of light slats of wood, covered with
cloth, and painted in imitation of a brick house, with mouldings,
window frames, and doors. It must extend across the stage, and rise
from the floor to the ceiling. The windows should be filled with
sashes containing genuine glass, while smoke and flames can be painted
on various parts of the building; and, if desirable, a small quantity
of wet gunpowder, touched off at the proper moment, will add to the
effect.