The San Francisco call., 1904-11-20
One Fireman Killed and
Others Are Injured in a
ConflagratiOn on the st.
Louis Exposition Grounds
LOSS TO STATE
WILL BE LARGE
Portraits Of Former Cover
nors and Supreme Judges
Among the Articles De-
stroyed by the Flames

ST. LOUIS. Nov. 1s.-The Missouri
State Building was destroyed by fire
tonight. resulting from the explosion
of a hotwater heater in the basement.
Instantly the flames shot up through
the rotunda and the north wing and
cupola were ablazetwithin ten minutes
after the explosion.
The loss cannot be estimated ac-
curately. The principal loss is in the
contents of the building. The building
cost $145,OOO, and contained $4,000
worth Of furnishings, the most valuable
of which were portraits of former Mis-
souri, Governors and Supreme Judges.
These cannot be replaced.
The fire was the most spectacular
that has occurred in st. Louis in years.
Thousands of persons hurried from all
portions of the grounds, attracted by
the sheet of flames that spurted from
the top of the cupolas, making far
greater Arilliancy than the illumination
of all the buildings. A wind was blow
ing from the south and the flames shot
down the northern side of the cupola
and met sheet of flames which en-
velOped the northern wing. instantly
the building was afiame from top to
bottom in the northern half. Sparks
were carried over the United States
Government building as far northwest
as the Liberal Arts Palace. Bucket
brigades were hurried to the roofs OF
these buildings, preventing their lgnl-
tion.
Meantime from all quarters of the
grounds the fire departments had re-
sponded and were augmented by ap-
paratus from the city department
Salvage corps were formed by both
jefferson Guards and Worlds Fair
visitors and as much property as could
be secured within a few moments was
carried into the Louisiana State Pa
vilion. adjacent.
Eight streams of water poured into
the burning building with little ef-
feet, the fire steadily eating its way
until only a portion of the south wing
was left standing.
NJ. T. Davis, president of the Worlds
Fair Commission, was in the building
when the explosion occurred. He
said:
The building as it stood, with all
furnishings, cost in the neighbOrhood
of 1926, 900. There was not a dollar of
insurance. If we had endeavOred to
sell the building we could not prob
ably have realized more than $4,000"
Mrs. Belle Hall Small of Sedalia,
Mo. one of the State hosteSses rushed
TO secure some valuables. A fireman
followed her into the smoke and found
her lying on the floor overcome. Plac-
ing wet handkerchief over her face,
he carried her into the open air
where she revived.
After the flames were under control
and had been sufficiently eXtinguished
to permit the firemen entering the
building, the south wall fell without
warning and buried Lloyd Randolph,
driver of city engine No. rs, and Frank
O'Connor of city truck No. 9. Several
streams of water were instantly direct
ed upon the debris covering the men
and they were rescued before the fire
spread to where they were entOmbed.
The men were badly bruised and II is
believed Randolph is fatally injured.
While responding to the alarm Cap
tain Edward O'Neill of Worlds Fair
truck No. was seriously hurt George
Carenbach was killed and Jerry Fagin
of the same company was probably
fatally injured. 1t was necessary for
the truck to pass through the mining
gulch, and owing to the darkness the
horses left the road. They separated
when approaching a large tree the
pole striking the obstruction with ter
rife force, upsetting the truck and
hurling the crew in every direction