The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-02-28

CHICAGO, Feb. 24-Fire was discov-
cred in the dome OF the agricultural
building at the worlds fair ground this
morning. The flames soor spread to all
parts Of the roof A special alarm called
engines from Hyde Park and Woodlawn.
Another alarm called other engines and
determined fight against the progress
of destruction was begun Running up
the outside Of the pillars, the flames
gained headway i'm the roof and spread
rapidly toward the dome in the center.
once having a start IN the lofty arch its
destruction was a matter Of short order.
Driven by a brisk wind. sparks from the
burning dome were carried toward ad-
joining buildings and for a time the
firemen had before them the prospect o.
an extended conhagration. The dremen
We're distributed. however. and while
several~compauies wore working vigor-
ously in an attempt 10 stay the fire in
the agricultural building. others were
detailed to adjoining structures. and
volumes of water were directed toward
exposed and endangered parts
An hour later the general alarm was
sounded. the nremen had accomplished
all that was possible and the blaze was
practically extinguished. Before the FIRE
men had succeeded i'm their work the
building had been ruined. As the fire
spread through the dry timbers of the
roof. burning embeTs soon began drop
ping To the floor and the supports. grad
ually weakening. at last gave away, car
rying with them connected parts of the
roof Of the dome in ruins 10 the floor.
This practically put an end 10 the fire
mems work.
The destruction Of the dome left the
already partially ruined building even
more unsightlv and it now bears little
resemblance TO the ornate structure. sur
rounded by the statue of Diana. which
formed a feature of the court Of honor.
But one theory was advanced on the
grounds regarding the origin Of the fire.
Every one agreed that an incendiary was
again responsible for the destruction. The
repeated attempts 10 burn the fair build
iugs have been ascribed TO this cause,
and the conclusion was promptly reached
that tCSay's ruin could be safely attrib-
uted TO the same cause. The gilded
statue Of Diana was removed about six
weeks ago and 50 escaped destruction in
today's blaze.
Crowds of people hocked to the scene
and watched the fire for hours. With the
exception of the peristyle fire, that of to-
dav was the worst the fair has had since
II closed and spectators found a great
deal 10 interest them. Near the dome OF
the building We're numerous groups OF
statuary looking into the grand BASIN
As the flames burned away their sup
ports the gigantic figures tottered and
fell away from the fire and were dashed
to pieces on the frozen ground. Arms.
legs ami heads Of the fallen sculpture
Uttered the promenade nearly to the edge
of the lagoon.
The Agricultural building which. archi-
tecturally. was one OF the gems of the
White city group. cost in construction
S6lS. 600 Its exterior with its massive
corinthian columns was most artistic.
1t covered an area Of 500 feet long and
500 feet wide. It's floor space was nearly
nineteen acres. a great deal of money
was lavished in decoration and the walls
Of the building Were spread with
allegOrical pictures by some OF the lead
ing artists Of the country. The ruin
Of the building is almost complete and
nothing but blackcned walls and the
shattered roof remains Of the once beau
tiful structure