Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-10-14
Big Fire in Baltimore.

has ever visited Baltimore broke out in
the Brush Electric Light Works, at
Monument and Constitution streets,
last night, completely destroying
that plant, and communicating to the
Baltimore City Jail, wrought havoc and
destruction on all sides. 1t was scene
never to be forgotten, and struck terror
into the souls of the horritied spectators
as well as the prisoners themselves,
scores OF whom are now in the several
hospitals OF the city under treatment
for their burns and sutlocatlon. The
terrible disaster was caused by crossed
wires in the Brush Electric Light
Works, the overcharge of electricity
setting fire to the woodwork, and the
fl ,mes, despite q heavy downpour of
rain, leaped like demons from place to
place, devouring everything within their
path. There was no such thing as
staying the flames, for they were driven
ON by the relentless wind with all the
fury characterized in Dante's currents
of lost souls.
The net result of the fire is that the
city will be in darkness, or, at least,
Will have to fall back upon gas for a
long time TO come the loss OF many
thousands of dollars, and the in
jury of large number of prisoners
who were confined within the walls of
The city's prison house.
At 10 o'clock while the wind was
blowing gale. the Brush Electric
Light Works took fire and were burned.
About II o'clock some of the sparks
from the fire were waited down the
elevator shaft of the city Jail, setting
lire to the woodwork in the interior.
Ia an instant the place was in blaze
When the flames and smoke reached
the corridors, the prisoners became
frantic, and beat upon the bars with
their fits, and called upon God to save
them. This was at the ends of the
corridors, which open into the large
central area.
The female prisoners of the jail were
confined in buildings, the north wing
resting Oh Buren, street They were all
released from their cells, and rushed
madly to the front and side entrance
which were guarded by the police.
Women, crazed by the sight of the
flames and smoke, fell upon their
knees aud prayed TO the officers to re-
lease them. Some ofthe men threw their
arm around the police and asked them
in the name OF their wives and children
10 release them. As soon as the police
saw there was no hope of saving the
building, they opened the front doors
and took the prisoners out into the
front yard. Then there was a scene
that would sicken the strongest heart.
Men made unconscious by the choking
smoke were dragged out and laid upon
the ground. Some were placed in the
small Offices on the grounds used by
the guards, and others were placed on
the wet grass, with the rain pouring
down on them and soaking them to the
skin. Physicians Were summoned from
all parts of the city, and did their best
to allay suffering When the prisoners
reached the yard, some of them
tried to make their escape, and
made frantic rushes for liberty.
The south wing of the Jail was entire
~ Quilted The flames were finally con-
fine to the south wing and gotten UNI
der control. The entire police force ofthe
city was called out and formed cor
don about the place. Meanwhile doctors
were working on the prisoners who were
living about the yard, some of whom
are not expected to recover. Those
who could be removed were walked to
the oeuitentiary, which is in the imme-
date rear of the Jail, and sixty are now
in the hospital.