National Republican., 1876-01-12
sCHOOL-HOUsE ON FIRE.

AlmSst O Horror-Pauic and Excitement
Over the Evsnt-several Children Injured.
Yesterday morning an alarm of frewa5 turned
in about 9:45 o'clock from box IS, at the Fourth
precinct station. The cause of the alarm was
the discovery of fire in the Stevens school build-
ing, on twenty. first street, between K and L.
The fire originated in furnace Cue, between the
first and second floors, and was confined to tho
woodwork ABOUT register on the second q Dor.
The flames were soon extinguished, afer the axe
had exposed the burning umbers, at a loss not
exceeding $500. The discovery of fire in tho
building, hich contains fourteen schools, with q
daily attendance of over 500 pupils came near
resulting in terrible and fatal disaster such as
now and then occurs to shock the world. When
panic and confusion all over the building, and the
caildren, who had in following the natural in
stinet of selEpreservation lost all idea of dis
cipline, rushed from the schoolrooms into the
Railways and made for the stairway.
Screaming with fright, the little ones sought
flight in stampede down the stairway, and in
rushing Gown the pressure carried away the bal
listers at the imminent peril of many young
life. By q happy miracle no one was very Sc
riously injured One girl, Anna Davis, between
thirteen and fourteen years of age, was knocked
down when the stair-railing gave way, and was
trampled under the feet of her schoolmates.
She was removed as soon as possible to her home,
opposite the school building, and Dr. George S.
King called in, who found other bodily in
Juries except several bad bruises, although she
u6e suAe4AnS SIehtlS IEOn
NERVOUS EXCITEMENT.
Another little girl, Anna Queen, who is subject
to sIasms, was frightened into tit, and was
carried home. Two small boys jumped from the
third story window to the ground, and were
caught by spectators in the crowd below. One of
them is named Victor Mimms and their escape
from death was almost miraculous. Quite
number of the children got upon the portico at a
risk OF breaking 1t down and causing a new hor-
ror. but, fortunately, an employee Of the gas
works, Mr.. Cranin, procured ladder and
brought dswn many of the children.
The sight was an unusual one. The greatest
CONSERVATION and excitement prevailed among
the children within, who were making use OF
every effort to get out, and number of parents
and others without who were rushing in to save
the children. The teachers generally through
out the building conducted themselves with CON-
mendable coolness and prudence, and even
heroism. They eXerted themselves to the utmost
TO subdue the excitement. and, when the balus-
ters gave way, with prudence and courage sell
dom witnessed ranged themselves hand in hand
ard formed living railing to pass the children
down. Had this not been done, undoubtedly the
results Of the fire would have been far more
serious. The policemen of tho precinct were
early upon the ground, and did good service in
passing the children ont.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The fire was caused, as is stated above, from a
defect in the arrangement Of fiue. In the con-
struction of the building woodwork had been
placed so as to abut upon the fue, and this had
become so charred, from continual contact with
the heated flue, as to be as infammable as tinder
The cold weather Of Yesterday called for large
fires in the furnaces, ana the wood work about the
register in the north west corner of the second floor
Of the building caught fTe-an event that was
bound to occur sooner or later.
The prompt arrival Of the fire department pre-
vented the destruction OF the building and the
consequent loss of life. AS it was, considerable
space of flooring was burned, and the attendant
panic is a sufficient warning to avert terrible
calamity in this or some other building in the
city.
The room where the fire originated is occupied
by the Fourth primary school, and Miss NJ. l..
TlfNr in hn faaa aharO NJ hf5
first indication Of the fire was the flames shooting
up in the corner, about as high as the seats.
There was very little smoke perceptible at first
The panic seized her school first and she lost all
control OF the children. who ran out Screa ming
. Fire, and spreading the confusion, like wildre
all through the building. After the fire had been
eStnguiSded AID the panic was thoroughly
abated the schools resumed their usual exercises
The little girl, Anna Davis, was not injured Sc.
vereiy, and will probably be entirely recovered
from the effects o. her injuries and fright within
q lev DAYS.