New-York tribune., 1902-08-23
ROY BRIGADE FIGHTS FIRE.
CATHOLIC PRoTEcToRY SENIORS COOL
LY ENTER BURNING BUILDING
IN SPITE OF LACK OF WATER PRESSURE
THEY HAVE THE FLAMES NEARLY
UNDER CONTROL WHEN CITY
ENGINES ARRIVE

ENGINES ARRIVE
Eight hundred boys Of the senior class OF the
Catholic Protectory in West Farms Road, West
Chester went through their fire drill yesterday
afternoon while the high tower OF the main
dorrnitory in which they live was blazing ana
the fire was threatening to spread throughout
the building. Calmly, though the roof was
not on fire over their heads, the boys went TO
their places and awaited the orders Of the
Brothers The fifty boys who are the fire force
of the institution brought out their engine ana
had the fire almost under control when the
engines arrived from Williamsbridge
The fire. which was Of unknown origin, started
In the tower il the centre OF the building and
spread 10 the fifth floor. 1t threatened TO de-
stroy the entire building. owing TO the fact thao
The water pressure was not adequate
soor after ) p. m. Policeman Fruchineicht, Of
the West Chester station. Was crossing the
grounds in front Ct the main building, which is
brick and has five stories. when he noticed
flames coming out from under a wooden bal
cony around the top of the clock tower Al the
same tine Director Brother Leontine, who was
returning from q visit 10 Manhattan, noticed
the flames The policeman ran 10 frebox, While
the director into the main hall OF the bulld-
ing and rang the fire alarm on the big bell Ihe
eight hundred boys We're the playground IN
the rear Of the building
Instantly. and without confusion. the boys
stopped their play and ran into the building
for the fire drill. which Brother Leontine had IN
sisted should be practised every day Inc ooS ;
went TO their beds on the third fourth ana
fifth floors. The fifth story was filling Win
smoke, but the lads die hesitate
While this was being done the protectoTy IRE
force ran to the boiler house, and soon had
Ironsides the institutions engine. connected
with the pump in front Of The building Barney
Bass, engineer and Stephen Redmond IRE
man. soon had two lines Of hose connected ana
run up TO the roof of the building. This work
was ia charge Of Thomas Skey, of the rnechan-
ical department
By this time the flames had mounted high
ard were creeping up the sides Of the big cross
which was regllded only two days ago at a
cost Of SOU. -.
bedding They were doing this when the en-
Eines from Williamsbridge arrived battaloh
Chief Mccartney at once saw that there vas
not pressure enough force sufficient water
and sent in a second alarm. Two speclai cans cans
were also sent in and these brought Actlng
Chief Purroy from Manhattan ne ail4N00
after the fire was out
While the frernen were getting ready TO work
the part of the tower above the rooI COZ
,aneed sending a shower of sparks and burst
of flame high into the air The boys, VINO mao q
been sewing the bedding were at once ordered
out of the building. Sparks set hre 10 the
Roof in several places
The fire not put out before the TooL ioL I,
q. distance of fifteen feet from the front wall
and about the tower had been burned some
of the furniture in the doTTnitory was destroyed.
Director Leontine estimates the loss al SlV'VO'.
The fire started, apparently. on the floor OF
e wooden balcony which surrounded the tower
above the roof. That part OF the bulldlng was
not accessible to the boys OF the institution:
Brother Leontine was delighted with the drill
Of the bows. He called the fifty boy fire hghters
into the dining hall last night They We're wei
and tired. He comphnented them on their con,
duct and told them to go to bed at once ano
sleep as long as you want IN the mornihg.
Institution would reward them for the WorE
they had done.
Ironsides the engine. is the special PRIDE o.
the bows It is forty years old. and beIore De
ing bought by Brother Leontine 1t was owned
by the West Chester Volunteer F1re Depar,-
rnenr It won in its day several prizes at coun-