The daily gazette., 1880-02-19
FIRST EDITION.
YORK OF THE FLAMES.

ORPHAN AHYLUM-THE LOSS EsIi-
MATED Al $4,000, AND Is CAUSED
IN GREAT PART BY wATER-Ac-
cIDENTs AND INCIDENTS.
The City Hall bell struck general
alarm OF fire at 4'40 o'clock last evening
aud few minutes thereafter, Indicated
that tue fire was In the western part OF
the city. The FIRE department promptly
turned ont, and It was found that the
connagration was In the Catholic Fe-
male School and Orphan Asylum, at
Sixth aud West streets. Dense volumes
of smoke were pouring out Of the win
dows when they arrived. Every thing
was excitement. To all appearances
disastrous fire was raging. As soon as
possible the engines went into service
and the fire was soon under control. 1t
was not thoroughly quenced until
great deal OF damage had been caused,
by both the flames and the water. The
loss Is estimated at $40 900, which may
be looked upon by many as surprisingly
large.
HOW 1T STARTED.
Just where and how the fire Originat-
ed Is not exactly known. IL appears to
have broken out In the rear room OF the
third story, for here It's damage was con-
fined. It was said that the cause was
the upsetting Of stove in the room
owing 70 the displacement Ut some of
the blocks on which the feet rested.
But 1t is most probable that II was
wholly due to q defective nue. This
room wherein the fire ragged was about
twenty feet wide and extended from one
side OF The building TO the other. In IL
were stored all the clothing which the
children were not wearing at the time,
together with all the sheeting, ETC., that
were not In active use. These articles
we're closely slowed away on shelves In
| the sides OF the 10 )m, AID the fire could
| not get at them well. On this account
il burned slowly. The fire was discov-
cred by several persons at the same time,
| who were attracted by the smoke which
soon filed the building. One of the
children ran across to the parsonage on
the southeast corner Of Sixth and West
streets and gave the alarm.
GETTING IT UNDER CONTROL.
At the time the fire was discovered
the building contained ffty-six or
phans. Quite number of day schol-
ars attend, but had all gone to theiI
homes. Fortunately the children were
in the part of the building fronting on
| West street. Owing to this they were
| got ont of the place with but little dis.
| order, and no one was hurt. When
the fire department arrived there was
every prospect for an extensive fire, and
the smoke, as IL came through the
windows of the rear addition of tho
building led TO the thought that the
whole interior of that part of tho
house was burning. Some time elaps
ed before the engines could get intC
service, and by that time the flames
had communicated to the apartmentad ad
joining the clothes room, III which thu
children sleep. The hremen, wheI
they gained access to the burning
room, having clambered up by means
of ladders, or by entering tine build
ing from the street, found that thu
fire was raging most violentl!
between the Ceiling and the tin roof
Difficulty was, therefore, experienced II
getting hose-stream to play on the fire
and the ceiling had to he cut througl
will. an axe before eff ctive work coul'
be done. OF scours-, until this was don
the engines we're use eless, and as soon a
a stream was brought TO bear directl
upon the flames, the whole thing wa
brought under control in less time thai
it takes to write it. The great quantit
of water that was poured Oh the build
log from eight engines hose, under ful
head for the space of half all hour, wa:
in reality, merely useless, and the col
fiagration was not even checked until tn
hole was cut in the building and hos
: inserted. This useless wafer did ih
larger part of the damage. The loss {
: clothing is thought to be nearly on
thousand dollars, and the damage 10 th
building by fire will not be more than
few hundred. All the rest of the dan
!, age was done by the water.
ACCIDENTS.
While the fire engines were in serviC
the scene around the building was on
of great excitement. A vast crowd wa
=, attracted to the neighborhood and Sixt
. and West streets were both thrOnge
with people. This much retarded ii
;. movements Of the firemen. Once in
). while, when hose would burst, thel
y would be a stampede and good man
would be tumbled over aud hurt.
Q The most serious accident was thl
r which happened TO William McElwe
who resides at Fifth and Tatnall street
Mr.. McElwee climbed to the sleepir
apartment in the third story aud assls' {
In removing the furniture and bedding
By some means lie became fasten, d
= the apartment. The smoke was deDs
a and in few minutes he was almost su
focated. AT length he swung himso
out of the window and endeavored
= reach the ground by climbing down u
lightning rod. This snapped with hi
y and he fell d stance of about TWEEN
p feet. Fortunately he was not kille
81 He was conveyed to his home and i
~ Mauli summoned.
81 Mr.. McElwee is much improved u
morning, but complains of pains in i
breast and back, aud soreness in o.
of his ankles.
,p Soon after the engines arrived one
OF the ladders of the Washington III
!! Company was placed in position a
~ ,h five OF six firemen mounted it. T
iy combined weight was too heavy and
ny broke, precipitaling the firemen to t
a. ground. A young member of
ey Friendship Fire Company, named Jol
| 81 el,.t h.,rf