Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-05-10
Fire Department is Poworlsss to Stop the
Spread of the Flames.
HIGH WIND AND LACK OF WATER HAMPERS
Superintendent Rothert Unable to State
How the Fire Starts,
Many OF Them Render Valuable As
sistance In saving Property
From the Burning
Building.

The main building OF the Iowa school
for the Deaf. located three miles southeast
Of Council Bluffs. was destroyed by nrs
last evening. entaling a loss estimated a.
$25O,OOO. The loss is complete, as the stats
carries no insurance on any OF it's build
ings. As far as could be learned last night
none OF the 260 deaf and dumb pupils In
the school are injured or missing. But
little OF the furniture and effects Of the
pupils and teachers was saved.
The fire started in an attic over the
chapel in the wing adjoining the main
building at the rear. This attic had been
used to store lumber in and was always
kept locked. The origin OF the fire is a
mystery and Superintendent Rothert is un>
able to advance theory as to its origin.
The flames spread rapidly and in a few
minutes the chapel wing, under which tho
dining rooms are located, was a seething
furnace. The blaze spread rapidly to the
main structure. At hrst there seemed
hopes OF saving the two wings, but the
wind, which was blowing from the south.
west veered to the northwest and II was
soon apparent that the entire main struc-
ture was doomed
The Council Bluffs fire department, in
command OF Chief Templeton. responded to
the call for assistance and was soon at the
oSOhS VI NhS uits ShOIlot hoNCNcEs
were hampered by the want OF water pres
sure. The institute has a water system
OF its own with a reservoir on an adjoin-
ing HILL from which the water was pumped
by means OF engines in the engine room
adjoining the wing of the building In which
the fire first started. The efforts Of the
fremen were directed to keep the blaze
from spreading to the engine, as had this
happened there would have been no way OF
securing further water,
Eats Into East Wing.
About o'clock the flames, which had
been gradually. but surely. eating their way
into the east wing, despite the work of the
firemen and many willing helpers, burst
forth in all their fury, lighting up the
sky until II could be seen for miles. 1t
was then evident that the east wing like
the west, was doomed and the work Of the
firemen was directed to prevent II from
spreading to the buildings In the rear OF
the main structure. few minutes be-
fore o'clock the east wall OF the east
wing fell out with a crash. BY this time
there was but little OF the main structure
left but the outside walls, while the In
terror a frey furnace. Standing as the
building did on the top OF an eminence, the
| flames could be seen for miles
which the fire started is occupied by n
laundry and kitchen in the basement. with
the private dining rooms for the teachers
and officers OF the institution on the second
| floor. This was badly damaged, but es-
capped complete destruction.
The institute had within its walls at the
time the fire started $50 pupils and sixty
three teachers and officers. They lost prac-
! tically all OF their belongings. most OF
them saving nothing except the clothes
| they had on. Superintendent Rothert's loss
| is complete, as when the fre was first dis
! covered by him he made no effort to save
any OF his effects, but directed his whole
attention to getting his charges out Of the
building and In place Of safety and then
to directing the fight against the flames.
His loss is considerable, as he owned
large library, a valuable collection Of sill
| verware and a number Of costly oil paint
| ings, the collection Of a lifetime.
Good Start When Discovered.
The hre. which had evidently by that
| time made considerable headway under the
| roof Of the wing in the rear OF the main
| building was discovered by a small boy.
! one OF the pupils, who rushed frantically
up and down the hall In the center build
ing opposite superintendent Rothert's once.
| Inc noise maze Dy l0e DOy hIfdCttQ lue
attention OF Mr.. Rothert, who on going into
the hall noticed the smell OF smoke. It
took him but q few seconds to realize that
the building Was on FIRE and he at once di-
rected his efforts to getting the pupils and
the attendant, out Of the building The
FIRE bell was rung, the whistle blown and
active preparations begun to fght the flames
with the means at hand until assistance
should arrive from the oity.
The building was soon emptied Of the
pupils and teachers and then Superintend-
ent Rothert with & number OF the men
employed about the institute commenced
the work OF saving the bedding and such
effects Of the pupils possible from the
dormitories In the two wings.
Chief Templeton, with the hook and lad
der company from No. / hose house, re-
sponded to the call and we're soon at tho
scene OF the FIRE. At first their efforts
TO save the two wings OF the main building
seemed likely to meet with success. but
the wind changed and at o'clock the
flames burst from the center building into
the west wing and in a few minutes II was
a blazing furnace. Chief rempleton, Cap
tain Teller and Fireman Stevens were
caught on the third floor OF the west wing
their escape by the stairway being cut on
and they had 70 make their descent by the
fre-escape All were more OF less seorched
and Chief Templeton was for a short time
overcome by inhaling smoke. He was able.
however In a short time to resume the d.
Tecton Of the hremen.
Teachers Central ChiIdren.
Fortunately the teachers were able TO
exercise complete control over the chill
dren and none OF them suffered any in
jury. At s o'clock they were gathered
into the large brick tWo-story school
building east OF the main building. where
they were given supper. Temporary sleep
ing rooms were established In the school
building for the girls and in the Indus
trial school for the boys.
Offers from St. Bernard's ard the
Woman's Christian association hospitals
) were made to take care Of certain num-
| haR NJ fha chIIdran huf for last nleht