Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-10-30

| something. One young woman named
Pelton. employed at Breitenbach's is
said to have jumped out of window
and been taken to hospital with both
legs broken.
The only person known to have been
killed up to o'clock tonight. was II
man who died in one of the hospitals
from the effects Of an injury received
in the street.
Chief Croker said that there were no
firemen missing. A number of firemen
were injured, however, and scores of
persons received injuries from falling
debris in the streets. Firemen and po-
licemen covered with blood were COM
mon sights at the beginning OF the hre
and one of the latter who was badly
cut up while assisting fireman out
Of the wreck on Washington street, was
certain that firemen had been buried
under the cave-in of the building.
The fire boats were called to the fire
early and thousands of feet OF hose
vere stretched to the burning build
ngs.
At 3 o'clock. the fire was completely
under control. the flames sun burning
fiercely in the interior OF the purheu
area, but danger of spreading peihs
over AT 4, the flames had Dech eH-
tinguished in the buildings south OF
Warren street and crowds or men from
the building department were put 10
work tearing down high walls Al me
same time workmen were hurrieu u
the Elevated Railroad Co. 10 repair the
down town track
Neither the officials Of the police de-
partment nor of the building depart
ment were willing to give any estimate
of the loss caused by the fire and ex-
plosion. 1t is admitted. however that
it will amount to over 81 900, 600.
The only sign Of "A body come upon
by midnight by the workmen was some
blood on a brick. picked up by mar
on tho site Of the Home Made hotel
The brick was believed 10 be stained
by human blood No other trace "
human being was found during the
nights work.
In addition to the great number OF
injured who were taken from the ruins
at the scene of the disaster or from
the immediate vicinity and carried in
lambulances to the various hospitals.
great number of cases. some OF them
Sdiu 10 ~ Htplt II 4lllfiEs hf4f 'ilNfiAAtG
in the down town district.
According 10 the story of the manag
er Of a drug store. a young girl. her
face blanched and in state Of great
excitement. had dragged herself up to
the soda counter and ordered glass
or soda water This was shortly after
the explosion. and upon being asked
whether she Was injured and required
attendance. the girl answered that she
had been in the building that collapsed
at the time the fire started and had
escaped uninjured.
a large number Of other minor in
juries We're received by people from
flying glass and debris.
". l.. Sargent. who occupies an Office
on the 22d floor ~ the Syndicate build
ing. the tallest sky-scraper in this city,
watched the fire and subsequent eXplo-
sions from the window OF his @.lice.
He gave the following account Of his
impressions: Il had been watching the
fire for six or seven minutes when the
first explosion occurred. This was weak
compared 10 those that followed. In all
there We're three explosions. The third
one. which was the strongest, fairly
took us off our feet. and after IL was
over. left US all in shlver. II seemed
10 sweep into the Office through the
open window. and then out again
From here ii looked like huge
black mass rising into the air. Then
it broke. and for several minutes the
debris was flying into the air as far
AS Vesey street. That black mass when
Il broke. discharged a perfect shower
of twisted beams, lumber. parts OF tin
roofing and other objects As long as
Is minutes after il occurred. pieces OF
wrapping paper kept coming down II
must have mounted sky high