Management Not Blamed for Loss of 26 Lives in Canonsburg.
Canonsburg, Penn., Aug 28.—after carefully examining the Canonsburg Opera House, where twenty-six persons were crushed to death Saturday night in a panic following a false alarm of fire at a moving picture show, Deputy Factory Inspector James R. Patterson announced this afternoon that the owner of the building and the manager of the theatre had not violated the law in any way. Mr. Patterson interviewed a number of persons and went over every part of the building. The fire escapes were found in perfect condition, and the stairway where the victims met their fate was wide enough for all demands of the law.
The Inspector’s report was this afternoon sent to Factory Inspector John P. Delaney at Beaver Falls, Penn.
A search is being made for two Italians who were sitting in the gallery and whose cry of “fire” is alleged to have caused the disaster. Manger Ferguson has offered a reward of $500 for their apprehension. They disappeared immediately after the alarm.