Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-01-10
MANY CHILDREN
BURNED TO DEATH
Terrible Fire in the Rochester Orphan
Asylum, Tuesday Morning.
DEATH ROLL WILL REACH THIRTY
Brave Work of Rescue by Fire.
men and Police.
OTHERHOUSES OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

u q
Rochester, N. y. Jan. s.--By the burn
Ing OF the Rochester Orphan Asylum, early
today, between 20 and 80 lives we're lost and
many OF the inmates will die from burns or
other injuries. The asylum was three
story structure at the corner of HubbeIl
Parkknd Dxchnnge street., and Its occupants
numbered between 1856 aud 1876.
it was but few minutes after O'Clock
this morning when nurse In the hospital.
Miss Cline, smelled smoke. She at once
notified another nurse, Miss Vallient, and
the latter reported the matter to the mntron.
Miss L. Dinehart. The smoke was speedily
located In the boiler room, and word was
sent TO police headquarters. All the Are
apparatus was rushed 20 the burning build
ing, but before the first engine arrived the
neighbors for blocks around Ind arrived
and were doing their best to rescue the in
mates.
Shortly after the FIRE broke out b-iIer
exploded with terrible force, completely
blowing out the lower part of the west end
OF the connecting wing, thereby cutting off
the escape OF the children In the east end of
the building. The children who were near
est the connecting wing were apparently
dnzed by the force Of the explosion, and
with difficulty were, able to take in their
surroundings when finally aroused.
In the east wing were the sleeping apart
ments of the asylum. They were located
mainly on the second and third floors. The
lower hoor was known as the first nursery
and the upper as the second. Here were 40
children or more. Miss Sarah Ashdown was
10 charge for the night, and with her was
Miss Brad OF the hospital ward. who was
taking cure OF two sick children. The ex-
posion, though of great force, was not loud
enough to awaken the sleeping nurses
When the smoke began to pour into the east
wing 1t was but a matter OF a few seconds
before the whole sleeping population was
brought into a realization OF the situation
with suddenness which at once seemed to
rob nearly every one OF their judgment and
mental faculties. A terrible chorus of cries
and groans filled the air. It3was impossible
to see anything and rs the thick smoke
poured in, the scene became one of indie.
scribable confusion. The chief nurse, Miss
Ashdoyn, did all within her power to save
the children and nurses.
When the firemen arrived on tho scene
their attention was first turned 10 the in
wing which Is the Older section of the in
stitution On the floor next to the top was
Miss Brad. With the flames leapinp an
around her. II seemed impossible 10 escape.
She did, however, but was SO seriously In
jured by falling that she will nyt live. u
that there were rs girls ii the west wing.
Besides these there were two children and
two nurses In the hospital department, which
was also In that wing. It was estimated at
O'Clock that all of the inmates of the west
alive. Many children were taken nwav earIg
and the number saved and those dead and
injured could with great difiicultv be
counted.
Fireman Morris Heating went up to the
roof on a ladder TO rescue women and
children. Just as he reached the ton I
stream OF water was turned on him M keen
away the flames, but IL hsd tbe eiiect 10 ronp
fuse the man. He reached for n woman and
the latter jpmped for his arms. Spddeniv
the nnn lost ms hold IN the ladder M.
crowd Qroaned as tbe fireman fail with ths
woman to the ground, The ,,yonar, vas
killed outright and the fireman was 40 seri-
ously injured TINT he mny ala. Ths 5oof
was covered with children who had escaped
e end as scuue from Ihe upper rooms
a sh lle nreinsn were Kept busy carrying