The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-25


WARREN. March 25.-Coe's hotel,
wel-known bostelry, was destroyed by
fire at an early hour this morning.
There were thirty-6ve guests in the
hotel but all escaped.
There was panic and little OF the
property of guests in the hotel was saved.
Many Of the guests jumped from the
windows.
George Brown, In leaping from the
third story, sustained severe injuries.
A kerosene stove exploded In the bar
room of the hotel at 1:30 O'Clock in the
morning and in few moments the room
was in flames.
The fire rapidly spread and the guests
had hardly been warned when the build
ing was wrapped In seeth'ng mass of
flames.
Panic OF Terror.
The inmates came rushing out, half
clothed and some with scarcely vestige
of clothing, all panic stricken.
1t was at first thought that some OF the
s,eepers had been suffocated, but all es-
capped safely.
Church bells were rung and the two
volunteer companies responded promptly
Nine streams were poured on the build
ing, but too late to save the building
from being totally destroyed
1t was narrow escape from .rightfu!
holocaust.
Those in the barroom displayed rare
presence of mind. The guests we're
Quickly Warned
and work was begun in removing the
furniture and the effects of the guests
But little was saved. The Are had
gained too great headway to allow much
work TO be done.
The fire burned with such rapidity and
the heat was so intense that the crowd
| which had quickly congregated was
forced to retreat.
The firemen had great difficulty in
fighting the fierce flames but stood
bravely ut their post. The glare lit up
the country for a considerable distance
The bells were rung with will. awak-
ening the residents, who fastened to the
scene. Long after the bells had ceased
ringing spectators arrived from the more
remote sections, the great light giving
the appearance Of much greater hr'
than was the case.
Although it was a most serious even
touch of the ludicrous to the spectator
in the affair
Mothers surrounded by
Half Robed Children,
sobbing and crying with fear, and faith
ers finding emporary quarters, rushin
from plac. to place. clad in little NOR
than their night clothing, presented
spectacle which one would not care I
view again.
Residents were quick to offer assis
ance. aud before long the unfortunat
people were housed.
Meanwhile the firemen were putin
forth their best efforts to save the su
rounding property.
The hotel burned like tinder-box an
, after raging awhile burned itself out.
Not until morning did the crowd di
, perse, the
B1anched Faces
OF many showing full realization
their narrow escape from terrible ca
ualty.
Coles hotel was built in l7G2. The o
I building was three stories high. Lat
a a two-story addition was erected. Jer
l. miah Goff was the proprietor.
8 IL was one OF the best known publ
! houses in Rhode Island, and in revol
tionary times was used for milita
: quarters. For the past thirteen yea
! Mr.. Goff has been the proprietor. L
}. house was well furnished and was occ
|, pied by families.
. Nothing remains of the structure bt
y the annex.
!. The Offices of Earle & Prew's EXPIRE
company and the Warren Telegraph
first floor OF the hotel were burned o'
The Telegraph Is new paper and b
printed but one issue. Its propriet'
> estimate their loss at about 600.
:. The hotel carried an insurance OF VI
= 600, bat Mr.. Goff told a News repor
e that his loss would amount TO s2O 900.
II A later estimate places his loss at ~
!. ooo.
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