The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-10-19 00:00:00

A LUNATIC ASYLUM ON FIRE.

Some terrible scenes, witnessed at the destruction by fire of
the Northern lihh Insane Asylum at Newbury, are described
In the Cleveland Ilerald of the 26th ult.

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The building was a splendid structure, 900 feet in
length, the exterior walls being entirely of stone. Two
wings had just been completed, at a cost of 300,000
dollars. These increased the capacity of the institu-
tion to 600 patients, fully that number being on the
books at the time of the disaster. The crowded condi-
tion of the asylum was owing to the fact that there
were 150 patients from the Central Ohio District, the
new asylum at Columbus, upou the site of the one
burned two or three years ago not being completed.
Six persons fell victims in the disaster, but it is believed
that none of the inmates perished.
When the fire obtained the mastery, orders were
given for the immediate removal of the patients. The
scenes that ensued during the next hour almost defy
description. The officers and attendants throughout
the institution made haste to unlock the doors of the
various wards and cells, and directed the inmates to
leave the buildings at once. A portion of them com-
plied promptly, and even rendered assistance in the
rescue of others. Some of the unfortunates were
appalled with terror, and became absolutely frantic,
uttei ing piercing shrieks and cnee. The extreme difficulty
of controlling NO Innathei under such circumstances
can be faintly imagined. Many resolutely refused to leave
their cells, concealing themselves in closets or under
their beds, and neither persuasions nor threats were of
any avail. In many instances it was fount necessary
to pull them out of their hiding places by main force.
In a few of the worst cases they straggled fee, fully ;
some of them insisted on taking with them all their
clothing, bedding, and articles of every kind. One
man tied up an immense bundle that weld.' have
staggered a packhorse. He had to he actually torn
away from it by two men and dragged to the place
exit. The female patients were even more diffi-
cult to manage than the males; many of them ran
hither and thither in frantic terror; some making all
haste to escape, and others, ae in the cases of the men,
refusing to leave their cells. Scores of them were
taken by force, resisting in every possible way with
all their strength. Several patients, after being set at
liberty in the grounds, rushed back into the burning
building, to be again borne struggling out. In that
part of the building nearest where the fire originated.
Rome of the wards were tilled with stifling heat and
smoke before the last of the patients could be
conducted to a place of safety. Further front the
centre the wards were generally cleared More the fire
reached them. Hundreds of men and women from the
village and the region adjacent to the asj, hue were en-
gaged in the work of rescuing the patients in all parts
of the building, and the excitement was intense.
Three-quarters of an hour after the fire was dis-
covered a terrible casualty occurred. Near the centre
dome was an immense tank, containing 8,000 gallons of
water, kept constantly full for the supply of the build-
ing. The supports of the tank having burned away,
it fell, the great weight carrying it down to the base-
ment, crashing through all the intermediate floors.
Joseph Turuey and John Dipley were in the reception
room on the second floor. Immediately after the
crash they discovered Mies Walker caught by her foot
through the breaking of the floor. The stairs bad
been carried away, and it was impossible to get to her.
They took hold of the other foot, which hung down
over the edge of the chasm, and tried to pull
her down, but without avail. The fire which had been
carried down by the falling tank blazed up through
the opening, and at length, scorched and well-nigh
suffocated with the heat and smoke, they were obliged
to abandon her. When they left her her clothing had
taken fire, and she was quickly enveloped in flame.
Mr. Tnrney tied some sheets together, and was about
to descend by that means when a long plank was
placed up to a window, and begot down in safety. Mr.
Dipley got out upon the roof of the verandah, and
reached the ground by sliding down one of the pillars.

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About the grounds the scene was one of the wildest
confusion. The majority of the patients were gradually
collected, and removed in wagons to the churches in
the village, all of which were immediately thrown
open to them. Considerable difficulty was experienced
in removing them from the grounds. Some had to be
forced into the vehicles by main strength, and it was
necessary for attendants to accompany every load.
Pale, haggard, and wild, beating the air and raving
incoherently, moaning and weeping in their distress,
uttering maniacal laughs, or sitting in sullen
silence, these unfortunates presented a spectacle that
moved the stoutest hearts. Similar scenes were
witnessed at the churches, where the greater portion
were collected. Few had sufficient reason to com-
prehend the events of the day. Some crouched down
in terror, others raved wildly, or indulged in singing,
laughing, crying, shouting, or swearing—the whole
uniting to form a terrible chorus that seemed like
pandemonium itself.
The has to the state may he roughly estimated at
500,000 dole., on which there VMS no insurance. Of
course prompt measures will be taken to rebuild the
asylum, as it is an absolute necessity to the state.
What will be done in the meantime with the 600
patients is a question not easily answered.