The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-24
Was Started by Plumber Lighting a
Match.

the evening performance and several
stage hands and carpenters who we're
working about on the interior Of the
building in the parquet. All of these
escaped. That some of the stage
hands and carpenters were not killed
is remarkable.
Had No Warning.
Adam Games, janitor of the build
ing. was standing within ten feet of
where the explosion took place in the
parauet He said: II had not a mo-
ment's warning. There was a short
sharp explosion, followed by a louder
one. The next thing knew I was be-
ing lifted right straight up in the air
for about ten feet and then fell down.
I got up and ran out the back way. ]
was not hurt
Threw Down the Wall
W. L. Jones. an employe of the Mof-
fit Furniture company, was in the
basement of the store which occupied
No. 612 Kansas avenue, underneath the
Crawford. He was getting cut some
iron beds at the time and the place
where the explosion took place was sep
aTated from him simply by partition
wall THE whole wall just caved right
in towards me. The beds were stacked
up and fell down with it. I didn't stop
to look what happened and just tore
right straight out. wasn't hurt in the
least
The experience was a thrilling one
for the members of the Arnin Stock
company. ~ OF WfO1I were IN the DullQ-
ing, on the stage or in the rear of it
when the building was racked by the
explosion. I was just out in front on
the stage saying my lines, remarked
W. H Dorbln, one of the players,
when the whole of the parQuet seemed
to be literally torn loose and forced up
ward. In scarcely a moment the whole
interior of the building was in flames.
We hurried out and got most Of our be-
lOngiDgs to a safe place.
1T seemed to take about 20 seconds
before the fire broke out, but when it
did it had spread all over the house and
was burning hercely close to the exit, ,
said Lee Holloway, who IS member Of
the Armin Stock company.
We viii lose all of our scenery, about
a carload" said Mrs Armin. TT is val
ued at $1,000 and we carry no insurance
upon it. We got all of our baggage out,
however, and we will save all of that
I wasn't in the theater at the time
Miss Bessie Little, of the same stock
company. lost some Of her clothes in
laundry bag but she was the only indi-
vidual member who sustained a per
sonaI loss.
The baggage and trunks and other
belongings Of the company were quick
ly lowered by means of a block and
tackle from the rear of the theater into
the alley by the employees Of the Craw-
ford
The Armin players took refuge in a
warehouse across the alley from the
Crawford. The company has had a
two weeks engagement and were to
/ complete their appearance here this
coming Saturday.
/ There was considerable difficulty In
4 turning eff the gas. An attempt was
made to run into the building with
monkey wrenehes and turn off the
! valves but this was given I'D aa fruit
/ less after several unsuccessful attempts
Finally the gas was turned off at the
curb.
AS soon as the seriousness of the
conditions were realized a call was sent
/ to the fre department at the Santa Fe
! which responded and soon had several
/ INES OF hose playing on the flames
/ which seemed to envelop the whole
| interior of the building. Most of the
i streams Of water were directed
through windows and exits as the
/ dense clouds of smoke which poured
from every opening and crevice made
I an entrance TO the building impossible
Four lines of hose were run up the
i front stairs and through the main en-
/ trance but the dremen could stand
4 the smoke but a few moments at a
! time and rushed into the street and
sank to the curbing gasping for
breath.
How It Originated.
The fire originated from match
1 lighted by a plumber who had been
called from the Mood Plumbing COM
! pany to repair q leak in the natural
gas pipes. Mr.. Crawford said. There
had been an odor of esca ping gas for
several days though we attributed it to
I the gas mains on Kansas avenue which
we're being repaired. I called up the
Mood Plumbing company this morning
! and asked them to send US one Of their