Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-03-10
THE FIRE FIEND AT DANVILLE.
The State Lunatlc Asylum Mass or
Ruin.

Ruin.
DANvILLE, Pa, March S.-Yes-
terday the state hospital'for the liz
sane ut this place was one Of the
most imposing public edifces of this
section of the state; to-day 1t is
mass of smouldering ruins. For
years its construction had been act
lively prosecuted. and only in 1881
could its completion be considered
attained.
The cost to the state for the e
rection Of the buildings which are
now almost entirely destroyed, has
been at least 100000. These
buildings covered an area Of near
ly two acres of ground and had a
frontage of $40 feet. It was a sub
stantial structure of stone, situated
about one-half mile to the east o.
DanVille.
At about SIS last evening a fire
broke out in one of the female
wards of the east wing. temporarily
uuoccupied for the purpose of re-
pairing it. The cause of the fire is
as yet unexplained. Efforts to stay
the progress of the flames were rem
dered abortiye by the fact that the
fire originated in the closet wherein
the water plug and hose were situa-
ted, and the pipes soon became so
heated that the water could not be
turned on. Attention was then
turned te rescuing the patients,
some FIVE hundred Of whom were
then under treatment in the institu-
ton. Fortunately most of the fe-
males were at that hour attending
services in the chapel AMI these
we're at once transferred to the
bakery, laundry and other detach-
ed buildings in the rear. Natural
ly the fire caused much excitement
among these unfortunates, and very
different was the effect upon many
of them. Some of them became
greatly frightened, whilst others
seemed to consider it q huge treat
gotten up for their enjoyment. These
latter stGbbornly resisted all efforts
to remove them. Some of the at
tendants were roughly handled, and
the more athlete of the inmates
were only taken to places of safety
by main force.
No lives we're lost. The bad
condition of the roads prevented
prompt assistance from the town.
The asylum was at too great a dis
tance to utilize the fire pressure of
the Holly system of water works
here and a team of horses conveyed
the Friendship steamer to the scene
as the main building broke into
flames. The Friendship and other
fire companies of the town have been
doing all in their power but the
scarcity of water prevented very
successful work. Adjacent towns
were telegraphed to for assistance
but the steamers from Sunbury and
Milton did not arrive here until five
o'clock this evening. Had they re-
sponded promptly it is probable that
the entire west wing could have
been saved. From the east wing to
the centre, thence to the west wing
the fire spread rapidly, the heavy
cornice under the tin roof greatly
assisting in this whilst inside the
Carolina pine flooring, doors, etc.,
were greedily Tapped by the flames.
In their effol is to remove the in
mates many of the attendants lost
their private effects, but most of the
movable property Of the hospital
was saved. There remain at pres
ent but section of the extreme
west wing, consisting of about six
wards. The hospital was insured
for $250,000. The ruins are still in
flames despite the continuous efforts
of the fremen. None of the detach-
cd buildings Of sthe hos .pital have
been injured.