The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-28
4 FRO BLAzE ~ PRovIDEScE.
Some Thrilling Eseapes-Hsroic Efforts OF
the Iiremen.

PROVIDENCE. r. l., Dec. T.-One of
the most disastrous and thrilling fires
that has visited this city for years broke
out az the correr Of Moulton and West
minister streets late this afternoon. The
building was completely gutted. one man
burned to death. and several injured.
About o'clock the people in the building
We're startled by loud explosion, fol-
lowed by q mass OF flames, from the
second and third floors. So iercely did
the fire bum thar the fifty. people in the
building became panic stricken, and but
for the prompt work of the firemen ter
ribie disaster would have resulted.
Many Of the occupants made their way
through dense smoke, TO the street but
those in the upper part Of the building
were cut from all means Of escape. Some
appeared at front windows, and others
reached the fire escapes. on the Moulton
street side only 20 be driven back from
the landings by the flames, which rolled
from the windows on the second and third
floors. To the thousands OF people in the
street death seemed certain TO those
above. The trucks could not be promptly
raised, owing 20 the net work Of wires.
Forty-foot ladders were called into use
and then the firemen did noble work
From the fOurth-stOry windows fronting
on Westminster street. the Misses T..
and G.. T.. Taft were carried down the
ladders. The thrilling sight of the fire,
however. was on the Moulton-street side
Of the building. While the flames were
shooting through the fire escapes. s'reass
Of water were directed on them, ana ilre-
men Mcneil and Brown made way up by
the burning windows to the third land
f.f.1ss ina 4
They found H. G.. Perkins, Of the Boston
Electric Supply Company. and his daugh-
ter. Josie. and carried them back through
the smoke and the flames, exhausted.
Nothing but the brave efforts Of The fire
men below, who kept streams OF water
playing on the escapes, enabled them 20
reach the bottom alive.
Roth dremen were severely burned. Mr..
Perkins and his daughter were badly
burned. but will recover. Two men were
seen on the roof soon after They proved
10 be s. 3. Hall, photographer anu
Charles Pearce. They had provided
themselves with a rope. and going 10 the
roof made II fast and lowered themselves
down. The rope was thirteen rect snort
OF reaching the sidewalk. but both men
were caught by nremen when they drop
ped When the fire was under control,
the hremen working on the third noor
came across the body Of man " the
room which Mr.. Perkins and daughter
had been rescued from. IL proved to be
Or. +. \. Gay dentist who had an
Office o.i the fourth floor. He had made
HIS way to the third floor, but was cut
off. and then tried 10 escape by means OF
the fire escape. but was overcome within
ten feet os the window and perished.
The fire was not fully under control
late this evening. The building was com
pletely Quilted. II was built three years
ago at a cost Of 800 900. and was occupied
by more than twenty firms.
The total loss is over $4,000, wen COW
cred by insurance.
The fire was caused 10y a dynamo wire
on the second floor becoming crossed with
a power wire.