The morning call., 1891-12-27
ROARING MASS
OF FLAMES,
Fierce Fire in a Michigan In
sane Asylum.
Frantic ShTiekS Of Hundreds Of Terrified
ManlaCS-NarrOW Escapes Destructive
Fire In Chattanooga.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

PONTIAC (Mich.), Dec. ga fire was dis
covered in the north wing of the Eastern
Michigan Insane Asylum at IL o'clock this
morning. The flames spread with fearful
rapidity, and with the limited facilities at
hand the tremen were powerless. Fifteen
minutes after the first alarm was sounded
the occupants of the wing, 800 women, were
turned loose. Screaming frantcalIy with
terror the maniacs surged through the corrl-
dors where the air was already filed with
smoke. Flames were visible through it all,
and the sight filled the demented creatures
with terror. Some ran like wild animals,
tramping their slower companions In their
efforts to escape. Others were paralyzed
with fear and stood rooted to the spot with
eyes staring horribly into the roaring fire.
HEROIC DEEDS.
The attendants performed deeds of hero
ism in their endeavor to rescue the helpless,
rushing hither and thither. Dragging hesi-
tating ones from rooms, they drove the in
sane women into the open air. When some
were once upon the outside they would
break and rush for ths building again.
Superinten lent Burr and assistants on the
medical staff gave directions for the removal
of the inmates, and by their excellent and
valiant labors ALL it is believed, were res
cued alive. Nevertheless some say that
several women were seen at the windows
after the patients were supposed to be all
out. They had torn every yestige of cloth
ing from their persons, and were laughing
IN hldeous glee at the approach of the
flames.
PITIABLE SCENES.
BY II 80 o'clock the entire north wing
was wrapped in flames. The attendants
had done all in their power and nothing was
left but to try to save the rest of the asylum
from the flames. Spectators declare that
they heard shrieks of anguish from the
awful pyre as of demented victims yielding
their lives to the flames, but in the confu-
sion it was impossible to distinguish the
screams of the frightened mauiacs without
from the expiring Outcry of the victims
within, If any there were. Strenuous efforts
were made to convey the patients to cottages
for safe-keeping. This was accomplished
with the utmost difficulty. Great fear is felt
lest the fire extends to the south wing,
where nearly 700 men are confined. Prepa-
ratiOns were Immediately made TO remove
the men if it became necessary. Inside the
south wing, from the moment the flames
came in sight, the widest excitement pre-
vailed. Seven hundred crazy men tore
about their rooms, yelling like demons.
Hundreds of people from Pontiac and vi
cinity joined in the fight with the flames.
AT this juncture. and by the most stubborn
resistance, the wing was saved. Aside from
this, everything save the chapel, hospital
q nd at,u uina hnpCa do.
a number of women who were in the sec
ton Of the building first destroyed were
severely burned while being removed, but
prompt attention ayerted any serious conse-
quences.
NARROW ESCAPES.
James Lyon. Frederick Linton and an
other attendant whose name could not be
learned had a narrow escape while fighting
the flames on the fourth floor. Unknown
to them the fire surrounded the spot at
which the men were working, and only when
they found every avenue of escape except
one small window closed did they think of
their safety. When the flames were near
ing them long ladder was secured and the
men rescued just as they were on the point
OF falling back into the raging furnace. A
number of other narrow escapes occurred
and but few OF the attendants escaped with
out severe burns or other injuries.
HEAVY LOSS.
tits difficult to obtain accurate figures on
the loss. One OF the Board of Trustees of
the asylum estimates:that 1t is not less than
SJ0o,000 The patients must for several days
suffer great hardship. The kitchen is among
the destroyed buildings, and some time must
elapse before the culinary department can
be re-established and the lunatics properly