The age-herald., 1901-12-23
Fearful Results of Catastrophe in the City of zaca-
 teCis, Mexico
MANY BURIED UNDER WALLS
Public Building Catches Fire and on Account of Primitive Fire Appar- atus Ia a Total Loss-The
 Victims Begged to Die.

San Antonio, Tex, December 22-Nows has just reached here of a terrible fire in the city of Zacatecis in the Mexican lives were lost The fire was in the principal market building. owned by the city. The lower part of the building con- tained a large number of cellars and refrigerating apparatus which were stocked with meats for city consump- ton.
 The fire broke out in these cellars and when discovered had gained eonsidera- ble headway. In order to save as much of the meat stored in the cellars as pos- sible a large force of men were ordered by the authorities into the burning struc- ture, and while this force was working, the flames burned their way to the top of the market, completely enveloping 1t. The fire department was unable to check the progress of the fire and after burn ing several hours the building collapsed, the crumbling walls burying | large
 
 debris. Just how many were killed is not known. but the loss of life Is said to be appalling. Latest advices from Zacatecis state that 45 dead bodies had been taken from the ruins, while it believed doubtless many more are still under the wrecked walls. The market building was the finest structure of It's Irtx t,, | of great revenue to the city. No Hope for Others. There is no hope that any of the bodies under the ruins are alive. How the fire originated is not known.
 Among those caught in the collapse was several of the minor officials charg- ed with the management of the building.
 Hundreds of men were formed into gangs and were busily engaged in the work of saving goods when the entire superstructure, weakened by the rapid ly spreading flames, collapsed without a moments warning. crushing and bury ing dozens of those engaged in the work of salvage. Those who escaped uninjur- ed from the blazing ruin were so panic stricken that it was some time before an organized attempt at rescue could be made and in the meantime the means and cries of those who had not been kill ed outright, could be heard. Many of them begging to be killed before the fire could reach them as they saw there was no hope of rescue Fire Department Poorly Equipped.
 The fire department is poorly equipped and the supply of water inadequate so that no effective resistance could be of fered to prevent the spreading of the fire, which finally burned itself out. leav- ing many unfortunates buried beneath tons of wreckage. As soon as possible an effort was made to get out the bodies of the dead, but the heat drove back the rescuers for hours and only fifteen of those who were nearest the outer walls of the building could be removed. Ex- actiy how many have been killed can not be known until the ruins are com pletely cleared away. This work with the primitive methods in use will occu- py days.
 The market house was one of the hand somest buildings in the city, and was erected only a few years ago by the municipality to meet the demands of growing business. It cost over s150,000 and it was stored with stocks of mer- chandise and provisions valued at sever al thousand dollars more.
 It was one of the chief sources of revenue for the city of zacateis. The insurance on it was light and 1t is doubt ful if it will be rebuilt.