The Portland daily press., 1895-03-11
AN EXCITING FIRE.
st. Elizabeth's Orphan Asylum Inyad-
: ed by Smoke.

sister Monica's Valiant Battle with the
Flames-Father MaIone's Difficulty in
Rescuing the Host-No Injuries to Any
of the Little People in the Asylum.
L he alarm of fire few minutes after
six O'Clock last evening was caused by
a dangerous, but happily not disastrous
blaze in the cellar of St. Elizabeth's
Catholic Orphan Asylum on High street.
The fire, which caught around the fur
mace, occurred very fortunately at the
hour when the children were gathered in
the first floor dining room for their sup
per. This made the task of getting them
out OF the building comparatively SIM
pie. There are sixty of the little people,
of all ages, from the babes in arms to
the little fellows who go about in trous-
ers and boots. Had the fire come in the
night when all these children were
asleep in the rooms above, there would
probably have been sad loss of life in
spite of all that the discipline Of the Sis
tiers in charge could do. For dense and
sutfocating smoke Immediately filled
the whole house. very nearly overcoming
those who superintended the rescue of
the children and the Blessed Sacrament
Sister Monica had very narrow es-
cape. When the fire was discovered,
she went into the cellar with a hand
hose to fight the flames. She valiantly
labored at this task until she was over
come by the smoke and heat Her moan
in gs could be heard from the outside by
some of those who arrived first and went
to the cellar window. Mr.. James Ell.
Bradley was one of these, He says
they could see the flames, and even dis
ting uish the form of the Sister, al
though the smoke was severely dense.
Two men, whose names he does not
know, were with him. They smashed
and another took the third, who volun-
teered, and seizing him by the feet low
cred him through the window He
grasped the Sister with his hands, and
his assistants outside were beginning to
haul at the burden when the current of
air from the window dissipated the
smoke for time. This revived Sister
Monica, and she rallied strength enough
to get mp the stairway. Her face and
hands were badly, though apparently
not dangerously. burned.
While the heroic Sister was having
her experiences in the cellar, some diff
cultles were being encountered above.
AS soon as the alarm was given, Fathers
Hurley and Malone were called. To the
latter is com tilted the duty of guarding
the Blessed Sacrament, or Host, which,
according TO the doctrine of transuh-
sanitation, Is literally the BODY CT the
Saviour. The Sacrament must be saved
at all hazards, even before human life;
and the priest who guards it must not
consider his life at all. The chapel was
full of the densest smoke when Father
Malone arrived; but without a moments
hesitation he plunged into the smoke
and cropping his way, obtained the Host
and started back. He nearly succnmbed,
and when he reached the open air it
was in fainting condition.
Father Hurley had, meanwhile, as
sisted the Sisters in getting the chill
dren into the schUolroom in the asy-
lum. There they were collected.a won
dering and dazed company of little Speo-
pie, among whom the Sisters moved,
comforting the youngest, and encourage
ing those older.
The damage to the asylum Isl chiefly
from smoke and water, and cannot be ex-
tensive. The flames did not get above
the cellar, and hole made in the ceiling
of the entry to admit stream from the
chemical, is the only mark of damage in
the rooms. Father Hurley could give
no estimate of the loss, which will he
covered by insurance.
The fire was handled by the chemical
ana by Engine l.
The house is insured at the agency of
Prentiss Loring, although there may be
some smaller amounts in other agen-
cies. Mr.. Loring couldn't tell last night
how much insurance he had. Several
builders and insurance men thought the
damage might be all the way from $500
to $1,000 on the building, and then there
would be the additional loss from
smoke.
Chief Engineer Jackson had the fire
upon his shoulders alone. He informs
US that although their term of Office
does not expire until their successors are
elected and qualified, one OF the
three assistant engineers who failed of
nomination in the caucus Saturday
night appeared at the fire. Mr. Hodgdon,
one of the new nominees, kindly assist
ed the chief.