The Portland daily press., 1883-07-25
a Marrow Rscape from oremation.


The difficulties of fighting fire in the lofty
blocks which are becoming an architectural
fashion in New, York were demonstrated Sun
day in the burning of the Munro building.
This building is nne stories high, and was
hive Of the printing industry, 20 firms having
quarters under its roof. Had the fire occurred
on working day the loss of life must have
been terrible. AS it was fourteen fremen had
thrillingly narrow escape from cremation
within its walls. The fire bad climbed to the
topmost story and the engines fell far short of
throwing water to the necessary height. To
check the advance OF the flames Chief Gicquel
sent fourteen fremen upstairs with line of
hose and their axes. The men were only able
to get to the fifth floor. here what is called
"bsok draft suddenly filled the room they
we're in with smoke. 1t came SO fast and in
such volumes that the fireinen to save their
lives threw themselves fiat on the floor. Some
distance away, overlooking court yard, were
two windows Toward these windows the sut-
locating firemen crawled. They were cut off
from the stairs andifrom the only fire escape
in the building by the smoke. Their only
hone lay in getting aid from the outside
through the windows. They shouted for help,
bat the men below, busy with the fire, did not
hear them.
Suddenly two OF the imprisoned men, Taite
and O'Brien of the engine company, tainted
and were apparently in dying condition.
Their companions gesticulated out of the win
dows and uttered frantic cries. The racket
made by the putting engines drowned their
cries, and the word was passed one TO another
10 jump-into certain death, it seemed-when
some one below looked mp. With renewed
hone che twelve imperilled men repeated
their cries for help, but to their horror their
request was misunderstood. It was thought
thev wanted another line Of hose, and so haste
was made to get it to them when Chief Gic-
que's attention was called to the spot by see
ing the men below getting the hose ready. He
shouted up, "What is wanted?"
"We are cut off Hurry up or we must
jump" came back the answer.
"It's life line they want" shouted Chief
Gicquel to those about him, who for some
reason had not been able to hear the thrilling
reply TO his question.
All was excitement at once. A 45-foot extern
sion ladder was quickly brought and placed in
position. II was too short by 20 feet. Out on
the window-sils were two of the perishing fire.
men ready to throw themselves down. Chief
Gcquel motioned to them TO go back, aud
they oheyed. He then by signs, found that
they had piece of string, which, however,
would not reach the top of the ladder. This
he directed them 30 lower. Then two firemen
went mp the ladder and with difficulty tied the
lend of the string to small rope, by which a
larger one was Immediately drawn up. No
time was lost in making it fast above.
Assistant Foreman Heeney of the truck COM
pany started to come down first, as he was very,
faint and the most exhausted of all. He began
lowering himself hand under hand, when his
strength gave out and he slipped fully go feet,
tearing the skin from both his hands. For
tunately fireman caught him when he struck
the ground and prevented more serious injury.
An employe in the building was the next one
down, and then came Tuite, O'Brien,
O'Shaughnessy, Sloan, Pilger, Donovan and
Kent OF Engine No T. aud McClain, Breen,
McClain and McCarty of the truck company
AS the last man left the window-sill flames
burst from it over the courtyard. The excit-
ing scene WAS witnessed by spell-bound
completion.