The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-27
WOMAN PERISHEO.
Continued from page One.


flame swept and the Belvldere hotel,
which adjoined the Burbank block was in
great peril The firemen were driven
from the work OF rescue. but before the
ladders were abandoned every person
who reached the windows of the building
had been rescued.
Still the firemen were not sure that
all those who had Occupied the rear
rooms had been taken out.
RUMoRs OF LOSS OF LIFE.
With the flames shooting from base
ment 10 roof II was impossible to enter
any part OF the building. and rumors of
all sorts spread among the crowd. 1t
was reported that eight had perished but
there was no way at the time OF confirm
ing or disproving the stories. The num-
ber of lives lost, II any, could not be de-
termined until the fire had been put out
and the ruins searched.
The fire damage was practically con-
fined 70 the block in which II started,
a five-story structure, standing In the
midst OF the business district.
IL is situated between the Hotel Bel
videre and the Howe building. abutting
closely on each. IL has frontage OF
about 20 feet on Prescott street. and in
the rear was massive cotton warehouse
OF the Massachusetts, Cotton mills. The
front OF the building to Prescott street,
the two adjoining buildings being cut off
by heavy fire walls to which Is attributed
their preservation. A narrow light shaft
existed in the rear OF the building bet
ween Il and the warehouse giving light
to the stores below but affording no eg-
ress.
MANY LODGING ROOMS.
The ground noor was occupied by
number OF stores. bat the three stories
above were all divided in small lodging
rooms. on the top floor was largo
dance hall An elevator ran clear
through to the roof. and II was UP that
oil soaked shaft that the flames, which
originated I'm the boiler room In the base
mcnt, rushed with terrific speed. In
Few minutes the building was filled with
smoke. and then the fire, bursting through
elevator doors on each floor rapidly ran
through the building.
IL was a newspaper man, Frank Sulh-
van. who heard the crackle Of the flames.
saw the smoke and then rushed TO the
fire box.
But the fire department. owing 10 the
heavy snow in the streets, was slow in
arriving, and t was some minutes before
the first ladder truck came up.
Before a single piece Of apparatus ar
rived the few persons who were I'm the
street were making every effort TO arouse
the dodgers, who were known to be In
the upper floors.
CHoKED OFF BY SMOKE.
Some rushed UP the stairways until
they were checked off by the dense
smoke. while others threw snow balls and
ice at the windows and ~ was not long
before many OF the threatened occupants
were leaning out and shouting for help.
w. r. Patterson. a telegraph lineman,
let himself down the rear light shaft on
an electric light wire. kicked in a window
below tho line OF the fire and escaped TO
the street. But others we're not so agile
nor ~ daring
Perhaps half Of those In the building
managed to reach the street by the stair
WAYS. I'm fact ell Of those on the FIRST floor
had little difficulty in getting out.
CRUSHED BODY FOUND:
As soon az possible after the lire was
out the search OF the ruins commenced.
and about S o'clock tho body OF MIS-, Sit-
tridge was found. crushed down in hef
own room by the floor above. IL was
evident however. that she had met death
from smoke and nsme before the hoor
fell. ,,.
close any other bodies but at 10 O'Clock
the police reported there were still four
dodgers not accounted Tor.
INJURED IN HOSPITAL.
The HIST ef injured at St Johns hospital
IL az follows.
r. r. Chase. burned about the head
and face, one foot sprained, and suHer-
ing from smoke Inhalation.
Not thought To be seriously intu1d:
Mas Hattie Hill badly burned on race
and hands hut not dangerously.
Louis I,abelle. very ill from effects OF
smoke inhalation.
Mrs. Labeie his wife. suffering from
nervous shock but not burned or bruised.
Their son and daughter. Michael and
marguerite I.abelle. not burned or other
wise seriously injured. except from smoke
inhals Ton