The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1868-11-26
Central Lunatlc Asylum Destroyed by
Fire.
Seven Inmates Perish in the
Flames.

The Central Ohio Lunatic Asylum was
last night almost entirely destroyed by FIRE.
The fire originated in the north dormhory
of the east wing, and was discovered about
o clock. IL was amusement night, and
many Of the inmates were collected in the
Amusement Hall. The Alarm was tele-
graphed to the engine houses and the entire
Department was almost Immediately on the
ground. The flames spread very rapidly,
and the work Of rescuing the inmates was At
once commenced In the confusion seven
persous persisted in the flames, or were suf-
focaled by the smoke. The bodies were Sc
cured by the most strenuous e1ertions,
through the persons who carried them out
were much injured.
The water thrown by the engines seemed
for a time to retard the flames, but about
ten o clock the cisterns were exhausted -
The scene at this time beggars all descrip-
tion. The frantic inmates being hurried
from the burning building, the whole east
wing of which was now in fames-zeom.
ing, some Of them, from beds Of slumber
aud worse, from beds OF sickness-taken
from windows and rushing out Of doors;
the engines all at work; men shouting and
rushing from one point to another, carrying
out furniture and tossing il from windows
All this time the city seemed scarcely
awake TO the great disaster, comparatively
few persons being on the ground. All ON.
tibusses and carriages in the city were or
dered to the asylum, and the inmates were
transferred TO the Deaf and Dumb Asylum,
where they were as well cared for as posi-.
ble. The scenes attending this transfer were
o. the most startling character, but il Is be.
leVed no serious accident occurred.
WheE the water In the cslerns, in the vi-
entity OF the Asylum, was exha listed, water
was forced from other csterns in the city,
Though this weakened the working force OF
tie Department on the ground. A strong
stream was poured upon the building for
hours after the Asylum csterHs gave out
The fire extended soon along the roof OF the
entire east wing then along the front part
OF the main building to the extreme west
end. For time the wings 10 the center
and on the west extending north were free
from fire, but at this writing q A. NJ the
Indications are that the building will be
entirely destroyed. The greater part Of the
furniture was saved, though much Of il 10
damaged condition. There was no insure
enoe on the building, The names OF the in-
males who perished in the flames could not
be ascertained with any certainty
DR.. S. ". Smith, President Of tho Board
Of Trustees, was early on the ground and re-
NAMED TO the last, working with DR.. Peck,
the Superintendent to manage for the best.
Numerous citizens spent almost the entire
uighi at the building assisting the Fire De-
partment, and joining in the work Of remoy-
ing furniture.
The 6remeh worked with almost superhu-
man energy, and had there been sufficient
supply of water might have accomplished
much.
The disaster is one Of the most terrible
kind The announcement will strike the
people at large, as It did the citizens OF Coll
umbus last night, with a terror that cannot
be spoksn.--stsss JornSl, lsh inSs