The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-02-12
FIRE BROKE OUT DURING THE
ELECTRICAL STORM.
The Switch Board is a Complete Loss
Temporary Board will be Rugged
Up-System is Crippled.

The operating room OF the Mutual
Telephone Company is in ruins. The
switch board is total loss, and the
people of Honolulu are doomed TO
disappointment for the next three or
four days, when a small switchboard
will have been temporarily rugged up.
This deplorable state of affairs was
caused by a fire which broke out at
about 4:30 o'clock this morning. At
that hour the sharp flashes of light
ming and the heavy claps of thunder
were keeping many people on anxious
seats for fear that the world would
come to an end in the next moment.
No connections were being made,
and Operators 6. a. Long and Frank
Mellows had absolutely nothing to
do. At the above hour they discover
ed smoke issuing from the switch
board, and after satisfying themselves
that the board was on fire, immedi-
ately turned in the fire alarm. The
boys started a water bucket brigade,
but were forced out of the building
by the density of the smoke before
the department arrived. When the
streams were turned on the building,
flames were issuing through the sec
ond story windows on the Fort street
side. 1t did not take the fire laddies
long to eNtipguish the flames.
The fire bells had aroused a good
portion of the populace. The fire whis-
ties also told those citizens who lived
in the suburbs that there was fire
in the city. BY o'clock a great crowd
had congregated at the telephone
building. All morning citizens have
dropped in to inspect the ruins.
The switchboard is total loss. 1t
cost in the neighborhood of $1,000 and
was fully insured. However, there is
clause in the policy which releases
the insurance company from all liza
bility where fire is caused by electrl-
cal generation. just what caused this
mornings blaze is not known. An
investigation is under way now. Some
believe that it was caused by a bolt
of lightning. Even were this true, it
is not known whether the insurance
people are liable for damages.
The building is but slightly damag-
ed. The wood work is all burned out.
The floor and ceiling of the second
story are badly scorched.
Superintendent John Cassidy is out
of the city inspecting the country
lines. He is supposed to be some
where between Kahuku and Waialua.
All morning Crane endeavored to
make a connection with either of
these places, with the hope of getting
communication through to Mr.. Cas-
sidy.
Charles Reeves is in charge during
his absence and has force of men al
work sweeping the water out of the
building. Nothing will be done tow
ards rigging up temporary switch
board until Mr.. Cassidy arrives,
which will probably be some time to-
night.
1t is more than likely that he will
fit up the old switchboard formerly
used by the Bell telephone people. 1t
has but four hundred wire connections
while the one just destroyed had over
one thousand connections. This will
greatly cripple the system for the
time being. Fortunately, the dircc-
tory have the plans and specifications
adapted to the present building, al
ready in hand. \ meeting will be
held within few days, and in al
likelihood an order will go forth on
the City of Pelling for new switch
| board.
While the fire is disastrous in one
sense it will hurry up the proposed
improvements which have been con
templated by the management foI
some weeks past.