The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-02-14
A FEARFUL FALL.
Exciting Accident at the Burrowes
Fire.
ROBERT GIBSON DROPS FIFTY
FEET.

Serious Fire in the Screen Factory
Firemen Master 1t with Much Water.
The alarm of fire rung in Wednesday
afternoon about 2.15 O'Clock, was occa-
stone by sudden blaze in the paint
room on the uppermost story OF Bur-
rowes's screen factory. The exact cause
of the fire is not definitely known. 1t
started in little room called the filling
room, where an infamable substance
is rubbed into the grain of the wood to
give finishing effect. single wor K
man was employed in this room, and the
flames were all about him before he
knew there was any fire. He could do
nothing except to fee, but before he had
got out of the room the automatic
sprinklers began to play. The chemical
engine, arriving soon after the first
alarm. horsed two lines of its hose up,
and assisted materially in keeping the
flames down until the engines and lad
ders could arrive. Considering the ex
tent CT these factories and the in1amma-
BILE nature of their contents, Chief Jack
son ordered a second alarm rung in,
bringing the whole department. to the
scene. Six lines of hose were put up to
the floor where the fire was, and IL was
drowned out after twenty minutes or
more.
Pipeman Higgins, of Engine 4, cut his
right hand quite severely, while putting
the pipe through window, otherwise
there were no accidents to firemen.
But most fearful and remarakb BILE ac-
cident happened to an employe of the
factory, Robert Gibson, young man of
about 90 years of age. who lives with his
mother at Knightville. He had been on
top of one of the large factories, which
towers fully so feet from the ground.
After the fire was extinguished he took
his fire bucket and started to come down
ne icy fire escape. Just as he was COM
ing over the caves his foot slipped and
his hold was broken. The next instant
he shot downward. turning complete
somersault as he fell. The few specsa-
tors sickened with horror, no one doubt
ing that fearful death awaited the I'M
fortunae young man at the next instant.
About IS feet below where the. young
man lost his hold, surong wooden avn
ing projects. 1t is made of matched
spruce boards, laid quite closely togeth-
er upon stout joists. On this awning
the young man landed first, striking on
his right shoulder with loud and un-
pleasant sound. The force OF the blow
broke the boards of the awning. The
body of the young man then rebounded
from the awning and continued it's fall
to the ground, which is fully Is feet be-
low.
When Gibson was picked up he was
found to be conscious, and was disposed
to make some movements of his body.
He was cautioned to keep still. and was
carried into the factory. Deputy Mar
shall Sterling took charge of the proceed
ings and sent for DR.. Bray.
When the doctor arrived, he examined
Gibson, and strange to say could find no
signs of serious Injury. The young man
could use both his arms and both his
legs freely in all directions. There was
a bruise on the right side of his fore
head, but it did not seem to prom Use
serious.
Gibson is said to have chung to his
fire bucket through all of his fearful
fall.
Dr.. Bray had him removed to his
office. Gibson wanted to walk. but the
doctor forbade it. The young man was,
of course, badly shaken up, and the less
lie moved the less unpleasant effects he
would have.
1t was impossible Wednesday for Mr..
Burrowes to estimate the amount of his
loss, which will be largely from water. |
1t will be necessary to determine how
much the stock on hand is damaged. |
The loss may reach 900. 1t is fully |
covered by insurance.
The interruption to work will be one
of the most serious results OF the ire.