The San Francisco call., 1901-10-29
FLAMES NEARLY
CAUSE A PANIC
Fire Starts in Occidental
and Guests Are Ter
ror Stricken.
Blaze Confined to Basement
and Order Is Soon
Restored.

Fire broke out yesterday in the drying
room of the Occidental Hotel laundry.
Little damage was done, but for a time
intense excitement prevailed on the
streets and in the hotel. The excellent
service rendered by the Fire Department
prevented great loss. Three alarms were
sent in by Chief Sullivan because of the
menacing appearance of the blaze.
It was shortly after the noon hour
when the fire was discovered. Hundreds
of pedestrians were on their way in and
out of the business section. A dense vol
ume Of smoke breaking through the side
walk ventilators on the Bush-street side
first attracted attention. Within five
minutes smoke filled the building and it
appeared as If the big structure was
doomed to destruction.
The odor of smoke, the clang of fire
apparatus and the shouting from the
streets aroused the guests to acton.
Many were at lunch in the dining-room
and they rushed pellmel into the lower
corridors. Those occupying rooms came
to windows and for time appeared panic
stricken. Some shouted to spectators be-
low, but assurances of safety were called
back. The hotel attaches displayed great
presence of mind and as quickly as possi-
BILE circulated through the building. ex-
planning the location of the flames and
telling of the ample time for escape In
the event that the building should be
doomed.
Police Avert Panic.
Police officers Ed Leonard, Tom Walsh
and James Farrell were quickly on the
the streets, keeping the more excited off
the fire escapes and quelling any dem
onstration that would be likely to lead to
panic. AS soon as the fire was under
control order was restored, people re-
turned to their apartments and the trunks
and other personal belongings that had
been dragged into the corridors were
taken back to their respective places.
When Chief Sullivan responded to the
first alarm the smoke was SO dense that
entrance to the basement where the fire
was burning was almost impossible The
firemen were unable for many minutes
to determine the exact location OF the
fire. Whether it was creeping up between
the walls, as was indicated by the smoke.
Diary as to the extent of the blaze, ordered
a second alarm rung in and the freme1
set to work with will. Sections of the
barroom floor were chopped out and vol
umeS OF water directed into the Dase-
ment.
Despite the efforts of the firemen, the
smoke thickened and the building became
almost completely enveloped. The Chief
then turned in a third alarm and an
other relay of engines hurried to the fire
A circulator was then set to work. This
piece Of Serviceable apparatus had been
in use but a short time when 1T reached
the blaze and the danger was pronouneed
past. The room in which the fire started
was walled by brick, making it difficult
for the water to reach it. 1t contains the
steam pipes for drying the clothes.
Burned Like Tinder.
All the employees of the laundry were
at lunch when the fire broke out. 1t is
supposed that lint, which sometimes ac-
cumulates around the pipes, ignited and
set fire to the clothes. The woodwork
and clothes were highly infiammable ow-
ing to the constant heat and burned like
tinder.
Major Hooper says his loss will approxi-
mate $1,000 Water ruined a great deal of
material on the first floor and some of
the walls and floors were torn by the
fremens axes in their effort to locate the
fire.
Three firemen were overcome by smoke
-Daugherty and Conlan of engine and
Freeman of the fire patrol. Freeman was
caught in the basement and was brought
out of his perilous position through hole
chopped in the sidewalk.