Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-10
SCARED AT MIDNIGHT.
Guests at the Rotel Duquesne Reused
From Slumber by a Fire
CAUSED BY AN EXPLOSION OF GAS.
Unique Costumes Are the Result Of Very
Hasty Toilets.
MUCH EXCITEMENT, BUT LITTLE LOSS

| One hundred guests and an army of
chambermaids, walters, and bellboys dashed
madly down the stairways OF the Hotel
Duquesne shortly before II o'clock last
night. Those who had been in bed were
aroused by an explosion of natural gas in
the vault under the engine room, which was
quickly followed by cry of "Firer No
one waited to comb his mustache or crimp
her bangs, but started pellmell for the
streets
Some Of the male guests reached the side
walk habited In loosely-ftted underwear
and string of cusswords, while many of the
ladies were enveloped mainly in tears. One
lady had completed her toilet, with
the exception of putting on her
shoes and hosiery. and when she reached
the street gallant policeman picked
her up and carried her across the road into
City Hall. Many of the male guests curbed
their an1ieties long enough to don the more
important articles of attire, and slowly but
easily completed their toilet as they climbed
downstairs. One gentleman landed in the
office as neat as a pin and as cool as Gu
cumber. But one thing detracted from his
makeup. He had forgotten to put his sus-
penders over his shoulders and they trailed
on the ground.
An Explosion of Natural Gas.
The fire was caused by an explosion of
natural gas in the rear of the building, right
under the engine room and Kitchen, pre-.
sumably due to leaking pipe. The flames
burst through into the steam fue, and were
carried up through the building. In few
moments the house was filled wit h smoke. An
alarm was turned in from box "A, and as soon
as Chief Evans arrived he called out the next
district. The fire was difficult to get at, hut at
no time was there any danger of the house
being DESTROYED.
Shortly after the fire started the electric
lights went out and then several of the women,
all OF whom were hysterical. tainted. After some
confusion Detectives Shore and McTighe man.
aged to have the gas lighted and a small degree
of peace was restored.
The firemen worked hard and after an hours
work had the flames subdued. but not before
Fireman William Harper of No. 8, had been
badly injured about the leg by falling through
the first floor into the cellar.
Proprietor William Witherow was sent for,
and he ran all the way from his home in Allie
gheny to the hotel, arriving breathless, and al
most falling in faint in the office. He re-
vived in few moments, and busted himself
in restoring confidence among his guests, who
slowly but hesitatiDgly retired to their rooms
James Ford. the night engineer at the hotel,
was burned somewhat about the right arm,
which was caused by his attempting to close
the boiler doors after the fire occurred. A
colored employe Of the house was also burned.
The Housekeepers Lament
Mrs. Welsh, the housekeeper, was badly
frightened at first. but she soon recovered her
composure. With tears in her eyes she watched
the fremen drag in mud on their boots
which was distributed over the fine carpets.
Some Of the hose lines leaked badly on the
third floor. and formed big pools of water |
The water soaked through the flooring. and
spoiled, the frsscoed ceilings below. well"
hattering myself feI hours before the fire |
happened that I had very clean house. but |
look at it now" and the handsome woman |
folded her arms and looked around over the |
dirt and confusion. at means more work for |
the girls. but tneD it might have been worse |
and am thankful" |
gether at the foot of the stairway in the office.
A humorous drummer remarked that he never |
embraced so many girls at one time before than |
when he attempted to stop the highi of the !
frightened women. and to reassure them that |
there was no danger. Hans Douglas, the chies |
clerk. was on Fifth avenue when he heard the |
explosion. He rushed back to the house and |
worked hard to stop the fire.
Places the Loss Very Low.
81 don't think the damage will be more than
$780," he said, land you may say that every
thing is fully insured. The house Will be open
for business in the morning as usual Not
much damage has been done in the engine
room. and in a few places on the lower floors
the plasterng has been broken. which can be
easily repaired. Some of the carpets are
spoiled in places by the water and will propa-
bly, have to be replaced"
Clerk Statler mad just gone of duty and was
still in the hotel. His hair and eyebrows were
slightly singed by the fire, but he was not in
iured. An effort was made by telephone to
reach William Witherow at his home in Ale-
gheny. but in the excitement the number of |
his house was forgotten. He arrived later, |
when the fire was over and the smoke had
cleared away.
James ANN, the oil man, sat in the MAYORS |
office in nsglige dress. He had his extra CLOTH
ing lying on a chair, and several pairs of shoes
were on the floor. mo, wasn't excited" he
This is the fifth hotel fire have
been in. and am used to them. Of course the
guests were badly scared, and got out hurried |
Iy, but nobody was hurt. 1 have my clothes
with me. and don't think will go back to the
hotel to-night."