Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-02-28
PANICS THAT MAY CAUSE DEATH

Destructive Fire In the West Side Factory
District Of Chicago -Panics Prevail in
Buildings Where Men, Women and
Children We're Employed-sIany Hurt,
Some Fatally, it is Supposed, in the
wild Rush to- Escape.
Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Feb. 2Tth.--A disastrous
fire, which started about . O'Clock to-day
III the heart OF the West Side factory dis
.25U0OO, and at that hour threatened to
destroy vast amount of property.
The fire began i'll the tive.story brick
building at No. 2l5 South Jefferson street.
In the building were the Kaestner knitting
works. the Pioneer Paper Co, and the
Bach & Hertz Feather Co. The building
was crowded with men and women en-
ployed, and the rapid spread of the flames
resulted in panic in which heavy loss OF
life was narrowly averted
A.PANIc PREVAILED.
About 100 women and girls, in addition
to large number of men and boys, were
at work and in the stampede many were
knocked down and badly bruised. A
large number of the women were rescued
by the iiremen and 1t was thought that no
one had been killed.
The burning building stood in the very
centre of the factory district hanked on
either side by big manufactures and soon
the efforts OF the firemen were directed en-
tirely to fighting the spread of the flames.
The kaestner building is beyond help.
THE FLAMES SPREADING.
Despite the efforts of the firemen the
flames spread to the south portion of the
Crane elevator works, which adjoined the
kaestner building on the north. A brisk
wind famed the fire and the loss to the
elevator company was heavy.
Five dwellings which We're clustered in
the vicinity were totally destroyed and the
flying enIbers started numerous small
fires in buildings several blocks away.
MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE.
A panic which will probably result in
the loss of life occurred in the Lancaster
caramel factory on Harrison street, several
blocks from the fire. Two hundred and
twenty children were at work in the fac
tory. and when the flames from the Kaest-
ner building were seen some one sounded
an alarm.
A wild rush for the exits followed, the
children becoming craZed with terror.
They rushed down the stairways, tramp
ling under foot those who had fallen and
several boys jumped from second story
windows.
Help was summoned and II children
were removed, unconscious, by the ambu-
lance. Ii was feared that several Of them
were fatally injured.
The most seriously injured Of the candy
factory employees were: Emma Rustic,
Eta Gildman, Agnes Mcintyre and Bessie
Hasic, all of whom were Knocked down
and trampled upon.
1t was feared by the physicians that with
the possible exception of Emma Rustic
they were fatally hurt.
The fire was pronounced under control
at II o'clock. having been confined to the
Kaestner building and the south portion
OF the Crane elevator works. The total loss
will probably not exceed 100000, well
covered by insurance
MILLION DOLLAR FIRE IN HALIFAX.
HALIFAX, n. s.. Feb. 27.-Property to
the value of a million dollars was de-
stroycd by fire to-day in the vicinity of
Deep Water terminus. All the immigra-
ton sheds, wharves, offices and the ele-
vator shute, grain elevator, Sarmatian
Hotel and some dozen other buildings
burned. Several firemen were injured.
A heavy wind is blowing and the fire is
spreading. Dartmouth has sent its fire
brigade to assist the city department.