New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-03
HEMMED IN BY FLAMES.
SEVEN DEATHS CAUSED BY FIRE IN PHILA-
DELPHIA.
THE END CAME BEFORE THE FIREMEN COULD
AID THE sUFFERERs-sEvERAL sERI,
OUSLY INJURED

OUSLY INJURED
Philadelphia, Dec. 2-Fire broke out about 80
O'Clock this morning in the threstory brick building
at the corner of Second and Huntington SITS. The
basement and first floor used by Gustave Gross
as balSeshop and store, respectively. The second
Door was occupied dwelling by Mr.. Gross. his
wlie and four children, and the third hoor dwelt
Joseph Bner with his wife and six children.
The flames, which started in the basement. burned
quickly through the upper floors and the following
persons were burned TO death before aid could reach
them Mrs. Annie Bitner, age thrtyhve Ida Bitner,
age SIX; George Blmer, age nine months; GtStave
Gross. tr, age eleven; Bruno Gross, age five
The following were seriously injured Mrs Minnie
Gross, ago thirty three Hattie Gross age two and
haf years; Joseph Bitner, age forty; John Elan
son, a journeyman baker, age thirty-two. Other
members of the two families escaped without serious
injury.
AS the fremen learned that there people
in the house they turned their attention to rescuing
them but the flames had already made such headway
that their efforts were almost fruitless Truckman
Hugh Smith climbed into the second story WINDOW
He made his way through the smoke to the bed on
which little Gustave Gross lay, and picking him up got
him safely out of the building. The lad had, now
ever inhaled much smoke that he died half an hour
afterwa in the arms OF Police Sergeant Shaffer John
Elanson, ioumcyman baker employed by Gross, was
asleep on the third floor. as likewise were Joseph
Btner, German weaver his wife, Annie and their six
children When ElansOn realized that escape by
means OF the stairway was cut of he looked ABOUT MN
for way OF getting Of the reach OF the hames
A corrugated iron awning protected the Second-st'
front the store Ellanson threw the mattress of his
bed on the awning, two stories below. Happily IL
rested there Then three children Of Bitner Marina
age sixteen, Hettle twelve, and Paul. ten. jumped
and lowered the ground without being injured
The father followed his children but received severe
sprain and in addition burned somewhat Next
followed the man who had provided this means of
escape He is now I'm the hospital, suffering from
bad burns about the back.
The wife OF Bltner and two of their children, lda'
age six, and George babe of nine months, were In the
third story front room and were suffocated by the
smoke. When found by the nremen after the flames
had been subdued, the mother and her children were
huddled together on the floor Mrs. Bitner was clad
only in her night dress but she had her shoes on as
though preparing to escape when overcome by the
smoke
second floor She clasped her little daughter Matte
in her arms and hurrying to the third floor jumped
from a window TO the street below. She was I'm,
medately conveyed with her child TO the Episcopal
,oon after being admitted. Mrs. Gross died shortly
after O'Clock this afternoon, the fac oi her o%ue
in delicate condition Fastening her ueS.n dsad hodv of
BrIIno Gross age five years, in the bathroom on the
second floor burned almost TO crisp reds TfUSS TON
second story window and we're caught in the arms OF
NJ. Gross These two escaped without injury FRITZ
Friman an apprentice age fifteen, also jumped NOM
tie second story window and escaped unhurt. -,
Gross came TO this city from NewYork about SIX SIX
months ago He had conducted bread and fancy cake
bakery at no 100 Aen-st. in that city and esa1iShed
himself in a similar place here; lie dld %eu m M here
from the start and was regarded 6y ms nesnoorS nd
VERY prosperous man until to-days hle came l ana
bbed him of three Of his children, his means OF llVe
hood, and in all probability his WIFE,