The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-02-16
A HOSPITAL FIRE.
FEARFUL SCENES REsCUING THE UN-
FORTUNATE INMATES.

st. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, N. ",
Destroyed Last Night-Two Hundred
and Fifty Inmates Escape BY the
Heroic Work OF Fircmcn and Others.
ROCHESTER, N. Y, Feb. 10.--Fire broke
out about 1l:15 o'clock last night in the
second story Of the east wing Of st. Mary's
Hospital, large three-story building COW
cring an entire block on West Main street,
running from Gcnessee to Chill avenue.
a bright light was seen burning by man
passing by shortly before the flames broke
through the roof. The fire spread rapidly
and general alarm was sent in. Owing
to the great distance from the centre of
the city the fire department was slow In
getting to the scene of the fire.
There were over $50 inmates in the
building, but all escaped. Loss about
$4,000.
The police officials detailed about twenty
officers to assist in rescuing the patients.
Passing through the various private rooms
On the first and second floors and through
the large public wards they rescued the
patients, many of whom had risen from
their beds and with frightened faces were
walking about the roomsin dazed condi-
ticn. The rescuers strove to calm the fears
of the inmates, assuring them that all
would be saved.
In one of the rooms on the ground floor
was an aged woman, and before her room
III d been reached she had climbed through
window and attempted to escape. Feeble
with sickness and age she lost her grasp
upon the window and fell to the ground
Fortunately the distance was only n few
feet and the woman escaped with only a
slight cut upon the head.
Such of the patients as were able walked
unassisted from the burning building and
sought shelter in the houses and blocks in
the vicinity. But the rescuers had much
to do. Fully fifty of the inmates were in
too weakened condition to rise from
their beds, and these had TO be carried out.
Wrapped closely in blankets and quilts
snatched hurriedly from the beds, in
shawls, or whatever article of clothing
was nearest at hand, the inmates, most of
whom were without other clothing, were
carried out and taken to the engine house
of the hospital, little building located
about hundred feet from the main
building and to the rooms in the building
opposite the hospital.
| In the little house the sick, all women,
most Of them of advanced age, were hud-
died close together. In one corner, upon
q cot lay woman about 40 years old.
Motionloss, scarcely breathing, and with
| glazed, staring eyes, she was unconscious
of all going on about her. Upon bundle
of bedding on the floor lay another Of the
| patients in q similar condition. Every.
where among the patients could be seeu
the white head-dresses of the sis
tels of the institution as they moved
about from one to another OF their charge;
with cheering and reassuring words. Sew
eral priests were also quickly on thescene
and they too united with the sisters IN
comforting the sick ones.
Frank Jayne, the fireman who was sait
to have been killed, was badly injured
At the City Hospital upon examination
it was found that the man had been al
most completely scalped. The scalp wa
cut in half dozen places and loosenec
from the entire top of the skull. In addi
ton to this gaping wound on the head hi
right ankle was broken, the left dislocate1
and many cuts and bruises on various
parts of the body. On account of hi
powerful build 1t is now thought he has
light chance for recovery.