The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-02-14
AGAIN ON FIRE
Observation-Disclosures
and Machinery Halls
at the Worlds Fair Grounds
in Flames.
HARD WORKTOQUENCH
Engines Have to Be Dragged
Through SnOwdrifts.
Sixty Feet Of the Col0nnade is
Destroyed.

Z CHICAGO. Feb. 14-Fire broke out at / +
/ O'Clock this morning i'm the colonuade
between the agricultural building and
machinery hall, Worlds fair grounds
The blaze started near the point at
which the dremen made fierce Fight
against the flames last week. When
first seen, the flames were crawling UP
the pillars.
Quickly they mounted higher and the
fire grew hotter and more dang erous
The first alarm was soon followed by
second cal but before the additional
engines reached the burning structure,
its destruction and that Of the large
buildings adjoining on either side was
threatened.
Another call was sent out and al the
available engines in Woodlawn and Hyde
park were soon hurrying 10 the scene.
Drlfted snow in the grounds made the
work Of the firemen slow, and before suf-
nclent streams were directed towards the
burning structure its timbers were crack
ing ia a rapidly spreading blaze.
Fire was first seen about one hundred
yards west of the part burned last week.
1T was inside the colonnade and skirting
the south end of the canal separating
the agricultural building and machinery
hall The fire was west Of the center
line and nearer machinery hall. Start
ing at point nearly back Of the Egyp-
tian obelisk il spread east and west
through the c0lonnade covering dis
tance OF eighty feet
The light woodwork offered little re-
sistance 70 the flames and the pillars and
ornate roof decorations along the colon
made were soon in ruins. Three groups
OF animals in statuary standing on the
roof were burned
Firemen were hampered not only in
reaching the colonnade, but the drifts
delayed them in fighting the blaze. Tt
was difficult 10 move the heavy engines
and the lines Of hose were cl0rued in tile
snow The engines drew water supply
from the canal and no difficulty in this
supply was encountered. Shortage of
coal however, was some disadvantage as
the supply wagons made slow trips.
Firemen and faIr officers agree that the
fire was Of lncendiary origin. They re-
gard it as another attempt Of the kind
made 50 frequently recently.
Some twenty hremen We're under the
main part of the cOlOunade when Fire
Marshal O'Mally fearing that the central
portion 0f the structure would fall,
ordered them out They had barely
drawn away from the place when
the top of the colonnade was
seen to rock for moment and the same
instant fell crashing to the ground. car
rying with it the magnificent quadri0a.
by Wagner, that adorned the central part
of tie top Of the c0lonDade
Manager E. D. Graham Of the grounds
and building. directed the smaller colon
nades. connecting the machinery hall
and agriculture building be destroyed I
ID keep the flames from reaching
those buildings. The fire damaged the f
assembly hall on the east portion Of the +
structure and threatened to reach the /
rooms on the west side, occupied by AR i
list Frank Milett. as headquarters for +
his department, during the fair.
The fire was practically eXtnguished +
before Q p. M Sixty feet Of colonnade I
was destroyed and the Assembly hall and F
Prof. Millet's studio was damaged but (
left standing.