Tragedy on Pioneer Square: A Young Woman’s Brush with Death

A shocking accident, which nearly resulted in a fatality, occurred on Pioneer Square shortly after 11 o'clock yesterday evening. While hundreds of people were wending their way to the Victoria and Nanaimo boats, a piercing shriek followed by a cry of fire was heard in the vicinity of the Hotel Rowan. In a second, there was the utmost confusion in the square, and the spectators were horror-stricken to see a young girl partially enveloped in flames. She had, with a party of five visitors from Victoria, been viewing the fireworks, when a large firecracker was either thrown at her or rolled close to her feet. Unaware of her danger, the girl, whose name is Evelyn Mason, of Victoria, made no attempt to move. There was a flash and a loud report, and the next moment the young lady’s muslin shirt had ignited. A young man standing beside her dropped on his knees and at once managed to smother the fire. Before he succeeded in doing so, Miss Mason was badly burned, the light, inflammable nature of her dress making it almost impossible to save her from serious injuries. She fainted under the terrible strain, and was taken in a hack to the Victoria boat, where a doctor was called. The full extent of her injuries is not yet ascertained, but they are said to be serious. Miss Mason is only 17 years of age. That she escaped a terrible death was due to the prompt action of the young man who accompanied her.