The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-01-13
FIRE IN A CHURCH.
A scene of Panic and Coniusion-- Marrow
Escape Of Thousand ChiIdren--FatuI
Consc ducnccs Fortunately Averted.

A scenc of Panic and Marrow
Escape of n Thousand ChiIdren--Fatu1
Consc auenccs Fortunately Averted.
The terrible church holocaust at Hol-
yoke several months since came near
being repeated in st. Mary's Catholic
church, on Union street, Boston. On
account of the fine weather the edifice
was more than usually filed at the nine
o'clock mass. In fact, not only the
body, aisles and corridors of the church
were packed with worshipers, but even
the yard and the sidewalks in front were
dcnsely crowded with surging and
pressing throng, all anxious to gain adj
mittance to the interior. In the vestry
or basement below there was, at the
same time, gathered nearly 1000 chill
dren engaged in Sunday-school Iexer-
cises, and here it was that an accident
occurred, which came near resulting in
loss of life almost beyond calculation.
1t seems that in removing curtain or
drapery which covered statuette of the
Virgin Mary portion of the folds was
waited into the blaze of burning can
die. Almost instantly it ignited, and
the flames darted up the ceiling, along
the floors, across the altar and around
the light cornices and ornamental wood
work, which existed in abundance at the
rear of the vestry. OF course there en-
sued an indescribable panic among the
children, and this was soon communi-
Gated to the floor above, where mass was
at the same moment being celebrated.
Some of the teachers and older scholars,
with presence of mind and quickness
of action which was truly remarkable,
Immediately tore and smothered the
| burning gauze, and others at the same
moment, with their oycrcoats and heavy
clothing, managed, by what may be de-
scribed as superhuman efforts, to quench
the burning woodwork.
When this was done and all danger
from fire was at an end the doors leading
to the main entry of the church were
closed and locked by some of the teach
ers and the threatening danger among
the children was over. This, however
was not the case on the floor above. The
cry had been raised that the vestry was
on fire and Immediately there was the
widest alarm and confusion. The ex
treme warmth of the weather had ad
mit.ed of many of the windows being
opened and out OF these many jumped
indiscriminately to save themselve.
from what they believed the alternative
of roasting alive. Many also jumped
out of the galleries into the body of the
church below, bruising not only them
selves but frequently those upon whom
they fell.
This scane, however, so full of terrol
and excitement, incredible as it may
seem, was not attended with any serious
consequences. Very many were bruised
in the jam toward the doors and win
dows, but the most seriously injured tina
could be found was woman who re
ceived a broken leg by jumping from
the gallery. Fortunately, the windows
were only few feet from the g.ound
and any serious injury by jumping from
them was almost impossible. The or
dinary means of egress, too, were ad
mirable, consisting of three large door
to broad vestibule, and from ther,
three more spacious openings to tn
street. The few moments the pani
lasted, however, We're full of alarm, ant
the shrieks of the women and the shout
of the men terrified he whole section o
the city in which the church is situated
The event, as might be expected, wa
quickly magnifel into terrible ca
lamity, and the scenes of melanchol
confusion among those who had friend
in the church were painful and hume,
Gus. At the best the affair was an un
fortunate one even in the absence O
fatal consequences, and, when taken i
connection with the late terrible atfai
at Holyoke, it will not be surprising
some Legislative action is taken to guar
against such calamities as are now pos
! sible in every Catholic church through