The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-03
MANY LIVES
In DANGER.
Fire in a Plain Street
Tenement House.
FLAMES SPREAD QUICKLY.
The Occupants Compelled to Flee
in Night Clothes.
FLAMES SPREAD QUICKLY.
SOME VERY NARROW ESCAPES

Twenty -one persons barely escaped with
their lives from burning building at the
corner Of Plain and Bishop streets at 80
o'clock this morning, and bur for the Tor
tunate circumstance of one OF the inmates
being obliged to get up from her couch
on account of sickness. there would have
been terrible story about loss of life in a
crowded tenement house. Sho saw the
smoke and heard the cracking OF the
haInes beneath her feet. Realizing that
many persons were in deadly peril she
screamed, anu the terror OF the cry
aroused young man on the fourth floor
OF the house who reused the other in
mates, and they had barely time TO elude
the IRE in their night garments.
Ihey rushed into the piles OF snow and
Ice In the street Larefooted and almost
frantic with alarm. Indeed, some OF the
men on the fourth floor were SO dazed
that they mad To be led out Of the houss
like horses. One old man on the second
floor. who was an invalid, was rescued
with the greatest difficulty, and but for
the presence OF courageous and strong
men he would have perished from the fast
envslopiDR fire ana smoke. Fortunately
no one was injured beyond frost-b,tten
feet and suffering from the nipping air
OF the night zero weather. Nejghbors
kindly cared Tor the unfortunatcs and un-
less sickness comes as q result of the ter
rible exposure there will he no physical
harm from this wild experience.
Tho lire consumed about $500 worth
of property, ircIuding the contents Of Q
liquor saloon on the ground floor, a shoe
store on the same floor, household furni-
turc and clothing on each Of the other
floors. The loss would have been much
heavier but for the brains and experierce
of the captain Of Hook and Lauder Fire
Company No 8, who sent in unique
alarm Oh his fire bell and notified other
fire stations that q serious tire was In
progress. The sturdy strength and quick
Wit Of Hugh McMaDus batteryman for
the police alarm system, not only saved
life but property as we'll. After rousing
the sleeping inmates OF the house lie ian.
TO the nearest fire station and gave the
alarm.
John q. Anderson, a Swede. was the
proprietor OF a saloon at the corner OF
Bishop and Plain streets. IL was n hand
somev equipped establishments. being
finished in oak with all modern apuli-
ances. Ii was valued at $1,000 and the
stock was at least $500 more. The bar ran
parallel with Plain street and near the
wall on the south side was large stove.
The proprietor of the saloon left a big fire
in this stove last night and It is said that
he forgot to give IL his usual attention
before shutting up. 1t is presumed tnat
the fire started from overheated pipes al
though the greatest evidence Of tire in the
dismantled place this morning seems 10
be back of the bar and midway Of the
saloon.
Everything was burned cut. The fire
made its way into John O'Rourkes shoe
store next adjoining the liquor saloon
and swept mp all there was TO Durn, en-
failing loss of about $500.
The flames then made their way rapidly
up the Partition to the floor above. where
Catherine McManus and her family OF
ten persons lived. She was W because nf
sickness when the fire stared and snc
gave the alarm. Her husband was an
invalid in sleeping room on this floor
and the women OF the household were
also here.
Mrs. McManus screamed Justify and
those on the same floor with her were
startled into wakefuness. The frightful
alarm also aroused her SOD Hugh Nc
Manus, on the fourth floor, Who. rushing
down stairs. saw the fearful danger and
hon went into the fourth floor TO arouse
the sleeping men. On the third floor was
the familysof Gustave ANDERSON consisting
of III persons. lhe women were on the
third floor but tBe men were sleeping
above.
The Andersons are Swedes, ana It was
with the greatest difficulty that they
could be inuuced To leave the house In
deed, several OF themthnd TO be led from
the premises. Theyswere taken In charge
by neighbors and only suffered from the
biting night air. There were five men
and ak women. The McManus family
James, hose Kitty, Frank and William
McMsnus, Nicholas Clark and Alice
Hunniman.
The fire went through the MoMsnus
tenement and attacked the household
goods belonging ITO the ADdersons. and
before it was extinguished furniture and
clothing amounting 10 about $500 were
destroyed. Fortunately this property was
insured. The loss TO the McManus FAM
lily was total
As soon "a the inmates were tr)used.
and 10 was hut the work Of few
minutes, Hugh McManus ran To tne firs
station at the corner Of BURNSIDE aud
Public streets and Informed the nremen
OF Hook and Ladder Company that IT, cir
services were badly needed at TIE corner
OF Plain and bishop streets He then
ran back To tho bouse MeanwbiIs An
drew McManus 80 years Of age. the In
valid WINS taken from ths burning build
ing ~ bis son James and Nicholas Clark.
This task was accomplished amid the
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