The record-union., 1895-04-26
Rey EI Santa anita VIII Run.
AWFUL SCENES At A FIRE
WITNESSED LAST EVENING BY THE
PEOPLE OF MONTREAL.
Nine Hundred Girls Imprisoned in a
Burning Factory-SoveraI Be-
lieved to Have Perished.
Special to the RECORD-UNGov.

Special to the RECORD-UNGOy.
MONTREAL, April 25.-W. G. McDon-
ald's extensive tobacco factory on On
tario street was partly destroyed by fire
this evening. The loss will reach $780,
900, on which there is no insurance.
There was not a fire escape outside, nor
any appliances on the inside of the build
ing for fighting the fire. Even the win
dows were guarded by heavy iron screens,
presumably to prevent theft.
The fire started at o'clock in the dry
ing-room, and for awhile smoldered
Then suddenly the flames burst through,
and most awful panic ensued. There
were go employees in the building, and
more than half this number were women
and girls. The shrieks OF the women as
they beat against the iron screens, pray
ing the crowd to do something to save
them, were most heartreuding.
AS the flames burst through four fire.
men were on the roof, and for twenty
minutes their lives were despaired of.
until finally ladders were found to bring
them down. They were badly burned,
The girls were nearly all on the fourth
floor, and were frantic with lear. With
much trouble one OF the iron laLtices was
knocked in, when one of the girls jumped
aud was severely injured. She anghted
on the roof of an adjoining warehouse.
In a similar manner the others fol-
lowed, TO the number of thirty.
The am balances were kept busy carry
ing the women and girls to the hospital,
and some were driven to their homes. So
far only one is known to be dead, but
several are believed to be in the ruins.
The Associated Press correspondent
interviewed several who escaped. They
say the scene on the fourth floor was ter
rIble. When the first rush for the stair
way occurred the passageway was SOL
idly packed, and many tainted and fell
under the Ieet of the crowd. Then a
rush was made to the windows, but the
crowd forgot about the heavy screens
which guarded the windows. Frantic
women tore their hands beating against
the distractions, but the irons were too
strong for their feeble blows.
Death seemed inevitable. until Marie
Gaguon found window that yielded 10
determined blows Of those who could get
their united efforts 10 bear. This window
overlooked an extensive one-story ware
house, and without a moments hesita-
ton, the woman leaped onto the roof be-
low.
Encouraged by her daring, and i'm
PEELED by the smoke and flames which
were making rapid progress, other
women followed her example until about
thirty manned and bruised forms were
piled on the warehouse root.
By this time, the passage-way had be-
come sufficiently cleared to permit a
more rapid clearing of the building. The
work of rescue by means Of fire-exten-
sion ladders was i'll progress, and many
almost inanimate forms were carried out
by the tiremen.
Great indignation is expressed against
the officials whose duty it is to see that
the law is inforced III regard to fire.
escape appliances.
From inquiries at the hospitals at late
hour tonight concerning the condition
of the girls injured by jumping from the
window of the burning building, it was
learned that but little hope is entertained
Tor the recovery of at least five.
FOLLOWING are the names of those prob
aoIy fatally injured Marie Gagnon,
Lionel Bernard, Sarah Zeraphin, Mary
Flynn, Maxine Concase, l.. Reselle,
Adele Gagnon, Rosana Beauchamp, Ida
Foster, II. Sinnette. Joseph Gagnon,
Dolphis Charput, Napoleon Blondin.