The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-05-26
IN A HOTEL FIRE.
How the Guests Act When the
Alarm Is Given.
A Steady Nerve II q Persons Only
salvation-To Become Terror
Stricken Means Sure
Destruction.

| The recent burning Of the Windsor
hotel In New York city has set peo-
pie all over the country to thinking
of what they would do in similar case.
In consequence of which the fire chiefs
of the various large cities have been
deluged with letters of inquiries for
rules for escape. The average person
seems to think, says veteran fireman,
that you canlay general rules for contin-
gencies which are not once in q CEN
tury of like circumstances. The fact
of the matter is that no one can pre-
direct escape from such fire as that
of the Windsor. The only thing which
can possibly save anyone is just what
most people under those conditions
have not-steady nerve.
Every fireman who goes into such a
place is in as much danger as the guests,
with the possible difference that his
respirator protects him from poisonous
fumes. But, as for knowing which way
to turn, he knows even less than the
transient roomer. He relies on his
native good sense, which discipline has
preconserved for him. In other words,
he keeps his head about him.
When fire alarm is given in an ho-
tel the first impulse of the guests, es-
pecially If 1t be at night, is to rush
out into the hall. Halls being the best
OF fues they are always filed with
smoke, If not with flame, long before
the room is impregnated. The guests,
who did not notice in calmer moments
which way to turn to the stair, invaria-
bly, run in that direction which seems
to be most free from fire. This is, of
course, away from the stair. Finding
the way blind, or an unknown passage
stretching away before him, he re-
turns straightway, that is if he can, to
his room, although he does not know
exactly why. He has dim idea that
1t is to consider. But under such cir
eumstances consideration is impossible.
30 he rushes out again, only to find,
In all probability, that the flames have
now reached the door of his room. If
there be not fire escape leading from
his window he is lost. He has let his
golden opportunity slip by.
No fireman ever stops to think. II
his instinct cannot guide him Alright,
he is unworthy of the place.
Discussion of the various kinds of
fre-escapes is now engaging the at
tention of the New York hotel keepers.
In keeping with the requirements of
the law there are rope fire-escapes in
all hotels where there are no balcony
and iron ladder fire-escapes, but every
large fire demonstrates that the rope
is not a trustworthy means of escape.
In most instances these ropes are Just
as they came from the original coil,
and to descend by means of one of
them, hand over hand, from high
point, requires considerable acrobatic
skill and not little endurance, both
OF which would count for nothing
among panic-stricken people.
In few hotels the ropes are knotted
at intervals of about two feet, which
makes the task of descending a little
less hazardous. Some houses are sup
piled with ladders made by connecting
two ropes with wooden rungs, but as
these ladders when swung from win
dow hang fiat against the wall they
offer poor foothold, and another lad
der similar to this, but with offsets
which keep it away from the wall, has
found some sale. But the rope ladders
as well as the smooth or knotted ropes
are not practicable for hysterical wom-
en-, children, invalids or injured persons,
because to be of service the people
who make use of them must possess
qualities which should be looked for
only in calm and healthy adults.-Cin-
cinnati Enquirer.