The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-01-09
Penn COLLEGE FIRE.
Explosion in Labratory Causes
Considerable Damage.

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which started Sunday afternoon
about three O'Clock. An explosion Of
some chemicals occurred In the
laboratory" room in the second
story of the west wing given to the
study of chemistry and kindred
branches. Flames started immedi-
ately and considerable damage re-
suited before the fire company ar
rived. The loss will be under $1,000. 90
from FIRE and water combined and is
covered by insurance.
The fire was first seen by Mr.. o.
e. Dixon who was north east OF the
building crossing the skating pond
and looking in the direction of the
labratory part of the building. The
gentleman states that he saw sud
den fash of bright light and he
wondered if any one could be work
ing in the labratory upon the Sabbath
day. The fash was Immediately fc'-
lowed by flames located atthe midC o
window at the north end. Mr.. Dixon
hurried to the building and found the
flames making considerable Roadway.
1t was not possible to reach the tele-
phone in the college building as the
Office of the executive department
where the 'phone is located was
closed. The alarm was sent IN from
the Shumate Club which is situated
some distance west of the college
building. The fire company quickly
responded to the alarm making the
run Of mile in remarkable short
space OF time. A line of hose was laid
through the college building in the
west wing and the fire was fought at
close quarters. The water was some
what slow and the fire was getting
good start and making tine rooms
like furnace but when the pressure
did appear the fireman made short
work of the flames.
The fire had eaten its way between
the floor and the ceiling of the first
story aud considerable difficulty was
experienced in getting it all ex-
tinguished.
Had the explosion occurred at an
hour of the night the damage result
ing must have been great. The slight
loss that was caused is considered
most fortunate under the circum-
stauces.
The chemical labratory, as the
place where the fire occurred is
called is situated in the west wing
and occupies the entire second story
of this part of the college building. 1t
is fitted with apparatus and furniture
for the detailed study of chemistry.
A large amount of chemicals is almost,
always in the room in the cases pro-
vided forithe purpose and upon the
desks of the students studying the
work. The room is in charge of
Professor miller and his assistant
Mr.. Farr. Both of the gentlemen are
at loss to understand how an ex-
plosion could have occurred from
anything that was left in the room at
the close of the school week. The
fire started at the north end of the
room near a steam radiator. An
earthen ware "slop jar" into which
is thrown the slops resulting from
the labratory work, was standing
near and it is possible was connected
with the explosion.
Fire at VIM. MattisOn's Home.
The William Madison residence
at the corner of the boulevard and
Tenth street had very close call by
fire Monday morning about eight
O'Clock. The roof of the dwelling is
a metal deck surmounted by fancy
railing of wood. Mr.. Mattison had
been burning out chimney and the
sparks of the chimney fell on the
railing and ignited the dry wood. 1t
blazed up in lively way until dis
covered by neighbor who immedi-
ately informed Mr.. Mat ison that his
house was on fire. An alarm was also
turned in. Mr.. Ma tison happened to
have some of the new fire extin-
gushing dry powder that has been
sold 10 the city recently and hand
full of this material made short work
of the fire. The fire company res
ponded very quickly but their pres
ence was not needed.