Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-01-01
PONTIAC ASYLUM BURNED.
BY Marvellous Courage and CaImness
not One Person was Injured.

The main building OF the eastern Mchi-
gan asylum for the insane nj Pontiac was
completely Quilted by fire for nearly one
third OF its length on Saturday, but hap
PLY not single fatality Is to be reported.
and not one OF the $50 patients who occu-
pied the structure suffered any serious in
jury. The physicians and attendants
stood nobly 10 their work and in very
short time after the blaze was discovered
all the inmates Of the threatened wards had
been removed TO places OF safety. The
local fire department responded promptly,
and with the aid OF the asylum fire squad
fought pl ky battle against the flames.
As soon as a special train could reach the
scene OF the contiagration from Detroit, the
Pontiac forces were supported by engine
No. 2, n hose cart and six OF the well
trained iremen Of the City OF the Straits.
The training and experience OF Detroit's
fire laddies was soon shown to be of much
value, for within an hour and u half from
the time OF their arrival the flames were
under control. The Pontiac fire depart
ment did splendid work as did the asylum
fire corps.
Dr. ID. b. Taylcr. of the medical STAFF,
was making his rounds when he detected
the smell of smoke. IL was sometime
before he could discover from whence IL
came, when he saw the flames burst from
the north tower. He at once gave the
alarm and in a moment the dread news
had spread from wing TO wing. Here was
where the excellent fire discipline under
which the attendants are drilled became
useful. The work of removing the pa
tents was began in most systematic way.
The north wing was devoted 10 women
and all were removed without any disturb
ance within remarkably short time.
The inmates being safe the entire force
available began fighting the fire in earn
est but despite all efforts the admnistra-
tion building, where the medical offices
and dwelling apartments of the medical
staff were situated, was destroyed as was
the north wing entire.
In speaking of the origin OF the fire DIR.
Burr said: The telephone wires ran
through the attic where the fire started.
In that attic were no fues, no chimneys,
only ventilating shafts of sheet iron which
could in no way have anything to do with
the fire. Rats and matches is not ten
able theory, for there are few If any rats
in the asylum and no matches except
safety matches, which arc never allowed
to leave the hands Of the attendants. Nor
were there any gaspipes or fixtures, nor
attic. But there was q great deal of dust,
and there was very high wind. 1t is
impossible to ascribe the fire TO any other
cause than that the telephone wires were
blown into contact with an electric light
wire in Pontiac, that spark was thereby
flashed from the wire into the dust
beneath the asylum roof which ignited it,
and that this dust smouldered and
smouldered until it burst into the blaze
which caused such sad havoc in the attic.
The amount Of damage by careful es-
innate is fixed at $50, 900. Out OF the SO
wards all but nine are ready for occupancy
when dry. The fire in no case touched
the ground floor, except in the administra-
ton building. Nearly all the furniture and
personal belongings were saved. The walls
OF the building are believed 10 be sound
with but few brick misplaced. Work has
already begun clearing away the debris and
the burned portion will be reconstructed
at once. 1t was thought about 100 pa.
tients would have TO be sent TO other in
situations for few weeks but quarters
have been provided for all and with the eX-
ception Of being slightly cranped all will
be made comfortable.