The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-08

The flames were discovered by two
young men, w. Clark and +. Young, who
happened TO be passing the building on
Exchange street. Clark ran TO the near
est fire alarm box and sent in an alarm.
after which both turned their attention
back TO the hospitals.
When II became known that the fire
had extended to the main building. a gem
eral alarm was sent IN, calling out the
entire department. The fire was fought
from every available point. but the build
ings were doomed.
Most OF the inmates knew nothing
about the fire until aroused by Young and
Clark. though one woman stated that she
heard an explosion before she smelled
smoke.
HEARTRENDING SCENES.
The scenes about the building while the
fire was at its height were heartrending
In the extreme. Crazed women were run
ming about trying to find out whether
their little ones had been taken from the
building in safety, while others were
looking for their friends.
All who were rescued had nothing on
but their night clothing. Policemen. citi-
zens and firemen united in the work of
rescue. Four little children had been for
gotten on the fourth floor. until a woman
screamed out that they had been left be-
hind. Instantly a dozen volunteers start
ed for the stairway. Two were allowed
they returned with the babes In their
arms.
A cheer went up from the crowd. which
was hushed as the children were seen to
be unconscious They were removed to
the house OF neighbor across the Ntreet.
About 30 children were carried into the
home of Herman Behn, a shoe merchant,
on Hubbell park, and as fast as the am
balances arrived the children were re-
moved. Every few minutes a victim
would be reported dead.
INJURED BY A FALL.
Miss Comeriux. one OF the attendants.
was rescued from n third story window by
der the fireman slipped and fell to the
ground. Both were terribly injured,
though they will recover.
There were l09 children In the asylum at
the time and corps of about 30 nurses
and attendants. Sixteen of the dead are
at the city morgue, several are at the
hospitals and some were left at the home
The injured are mostly children, who
were more or less hurt by smoke. II is
Jured at this time. The hospital building
was entirely destroyed, and the main
building damaged, entailing a total loss
of about $4,000. The buildings were heat
ed by steam and the fire was caused by
an explosion OF the engine boiler.
BOILER Exploded.
Shortly after the fire was discovered
the boiler blew up with a terrific ex-
ploson. completely blowing out the lower
part OF the connecting wing between the
east and west buildings, thereby cutting
of the escape or the children In the
east end OF the building.
It was learned that those children who
were nearest TO the connecting wing were
stunned by the force of the explosion,
and with them Il was a matter OF great
difficulty 10 take In their surroundings
when finally aroused. In the east wing
were the sleeping apartments OF the asy-
lum. They were located mainly on the
second and third floors
The lower was known as the first nur-
sery and the upper as the second. Herein
were forty children or more. Miss Sarah
Ashdown was I'm charge for the night
and with her was Miss Brad. OF the hos
pital ward, who was taking care OF two
sick children.
The explosion. though OF great force.
was not loud enough TO awaken the sleep
ing nurses. II was not until the smoke
began 10 pour into the east wing that
the inmates became alive to their dan
ger.
IL was impossible 20 see anything and
as the thick smoke poured I'm. the scene
became one Of great excitement and con-
fusion.
JUMPED AND WILL DIE.
When the Gremen arrived their atten-
ton was frat directed 70 the hospital
ward, In the west wing. On the floor
next 70 the top ~as Arlas Brad. With
tire farses lsaplnr all arounld her, she
vas soroe3 To Jump ron the ~fndow, bvt
was 90 seriously injured thar she Win not
live.
IL was stated by the ma tron. Misc Dine
hart, that there we're 70 girls In the west