Though water buckets were once kept on the stage and in the rigging loft 'A. M. Palmer Sworn' "Inquest: Searching the Cause of Three Hundred Deaths" Brooklyn Eagle December 19, 1876 page 4 column 8 and though a two and a half inch ( 2 inches ) water pipe still serviced a fire hose backstage, 'No Evidence That Any Water Was Used' "Special Report of the Fire Marshall" British House of Commons page 14 none of these facilities were readily available. '