The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-14
Valuable Furniture Saved From
Destruction Through Their
Efforts.
COULD NOT CHECK THE FIRE.
Lack of Water Rendered the Efforts of
the Boyle Heights Department
Futile.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Jan. 13.-The Oc-
cidental College building and dormitory,
situated east of the city line, between East
First and East Second streets, was totally
destroyed by fire at noon to-day.
Just before the distant noon whistles of
the city were sounding the lunch hour the
ianitor of the college noticed flames pour
ing from the west side of the college build
ing near the tower. They spread rapidly
and III five minutes the whole roof was in
flames. The janitor and the nelghbors
made heroic efforts to save the building
but the water was inadequate and the hose
connections to the few water-pipes were
very poor and refused at this critical mo-
ment to be operated.
The building was without any adequate
fire protection. Had there been a chemi-
cal apparatus handy at the time when the
janitor first noticed the flames he could
have easily assembled to the roof and
checked it. The futile efforts to save the
building by throwing water from a small
hose and from buckets was apparent to the
ianitor and the twenty students present,
and they were forced back by the flames
Then they lent their energies to saving the
effects.
While the students and the faculty we're
working with the flames, the Boyle Heights
engine Of the Los Angeles fire department
arrived, but was unable to secure water
There was none within quarter of mile,
and the apparatus was useless. but the
firemen lent valuable assistance in saving
the contents of the building
The conf1agration was caused by de-
fapfiua Hua Eiroo h,,rr ~, 10
CRATES and it is supposed that sparks
caught in the gutter and the shingles. The
janitor climbed to the roof this morning
and examined the flue and found every
thing in excellent condition; at least there
was no indication OF defect.
Monday is holiday in this college and
there were only about twenty students
present most of them being boarding stu
dents, and among them several girls, who
remained remarkably cool.
The building was a three-story brick
structure, TOXIC feet in dimensions. The
| first and second floors were used as school
rooms and apartments for the teachers
and the third story as dormitory for the
boarding pupils. The building was erected
in 1887 and cost about $50, 900.
Since its erection commodious barn,
cottage and other improvements have been
made, which appreciate the original in
vestment several thousand dollars. About
one-half of the cost of the building is
covered by insurance. The institution was
built and conducted under the auspices of
the Presbyterian societies, and Rev. e. n.
Condit was the president.
The GOODNESS of the students and the
energy shown by them and the neighbors
| made it possible for them to save great
part of the valuable furniture and effects.
1t is estimated that the total damage done
is about $4,000, and that is covered by an
insurance of about SIT 800.
A couple OF students by their presence
of mind saved from destruction valuable
piano that had recently been donated to
the college.
At 3 o'clock the entire building was de-
troyed as completely as though it had
been wiped off the face of the earth.