New-York tribune., 1891-09-25
MANY FIREMEN BADLY HURT.
A DISASTROUS FIRE IN MINNEAPOLIS.
FIREMEN CUT OFF FROM SAFETY BY AN Ex-
PLoION-A WHEAT ELEVATOR WITH $4,000
BUSHELS OF WHEAT. AND SEVERAL
MANUFACTURING BUILDINGS
DESTROYED.


Minneapolis, Sept pa brisk wind was blowing
this afternoon when the alarm bell called the city fire
department to Nlnth-ave and South Thlrd-st. 1t was
soon evident there was work ahead. and work Of the
hardest kind. The fire was In the fve-story BRICK
building of the Morewood Carving Wood Machine Com
pany and the inHammable nature Of the goods and
stock caused q rapid spread Of the flames which
quickly burst through the windows and rolled
rapidly up through the building Within five minutes
the fire burst through the roof. and the building was
doomed. The iremen had TO turn their attention 10
adjoining property to prevents the spread OF the
flames. Elevator stood close behind the blazins
building and the flames seized hold OF 1t
in spite Of the many streams OF wafer
soon the roof of the elevator was on fire, and in
fifteen minutes from the start Of the fire the More
wood Building gutted and the firemen had barely
escaped from il when the walls collapsed Ihe Detter
20 fight the flames I'm Elevator c, score OF fremeh
were on the roof Of the annex unconscious OF DANGER
There sudden explosion and great stream oil nre
burst from tie end, quickly followed by one to the eft
Of the men, and through the roof and then on tho
right. The great crowd was appalled, as the Dozen
Gremep were shut from view by the columns Of fame
and smoke that rolled up. A momentary break sho"eu
that the men were fighting for life in desperate at
tempt to get three ladders which stood near together
The break assisted them but groan escaped from the
multitude four fell v jumped from their narrow
footing. Again the smoke arose and cleared ana tero
on the ledge stood fireman, apparently dazed and not
knowing what to do. Slide on the hose,' yelled
the crowd The man heard and grabbing the big hose
at his feet he slid down through the shooting names
and reached the ground without dropping
The work OF rescuing the lrcmen was prompt For
time It was thought the men had been dropped into
the flames but all have since been accounted for Tho
names of the injured are as follows: Assistant Chief
Canterbury leg broken, badly burned and internally
injured Captain Lent, No. truck, badly burned;
Charles Mitchell, hoseman, probably fatally injured
Lieutenant John Gulz badly burned, leg broken VIII
lam Cole badly burned Captain Foster, badly burned
insensble and hip fractured; Captain william maiohc
badly burned Sandy Hamilton les broken, face
burned; ). N. LockhaTt pipeman back injured; Lieu
tenant Kelly, of No. ., burned; Robert Vance
face burned and head gashed John Hearn, burned
badly: William Mitchell burned Peter Coleman head
and legs injured william O'Neal, badly burned Hon
sadt head hurt G. H. Miner, left arm broken ana head
gslshed Edward Wilcox. back hurt.
Two or three Of the injured men are in precarious
condition but were stlll alive at last reports
Elevator C was owned and operated by Pratt IL
Porter. under the name OF the Empire Elevator Com
pany The capacity Of the elevator was $4,000 bush
c and the stock OF wheat on hand when the fire broke
ont WAS about rs, 900 bushels There are two large
annexes TO the elevator whose combined capacity IS
600 900 bushels. These loaded by the milwaukee,
Railroad for Pratt Porter JIG loss on the elevator
and contents aggregates SlooVVV' Oh "iH0n Ue'o was
The Morewood Carving Machine Company lost much
an insurance OF ociIy ss 900.
,oIi The kansas cosneS S % IosS snu 500 ngnrd The
block OF frame and brick stores In Washlngton-ave
the Yards Of the Mwood ComPn,ny ana few smaller 4
flames under control The loss on these Viii foot
sio7 oo6 ''''u A' "''''''' '''' ''''
A message for help had been sent to st. Paul and
three companies from that city arrived in time to be
Of good service.