The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-10

Eight known dead is the record of
an early morning fire in the West hotel
today. Coming at 1915, an hour when
many were asleep, and spreading with
fearful rapidity thru the upper three
stories, the flames cut off the escape
of many.
While some may die as the result Of
exposure or shock, the death list is be-
lieved to be complete.
A lack of sufficient fire escapes is
responsible in part for the fatalities.
Another factor in the death list is the
fact that wires of the alarm-bell sys-
tenn were burned off almost before the
fire was discovered, and the bells in
many Of the rooms did not operate.
+ Thousands were on the street when
the fire broke out, and they watched
with bated breath and straining pulses
the progress of the tragedy.
Gallant John Berwin's fall to death
as he was trying to rescue Mrs: Barlow
provoked common groan, and the IA
tai plunge Of Miss Hodges caused many
to turn away SICK and and distressed: o;.ho.
side Of the burning building, and as
each Joined the blockade, it's passen-
gers were added to the throngs of hor-
rifed spectators. W. - f..
Fire Brisk When Discovered.
The fire itself was not difficult one
to conquer and it's disastrous results
both to life and property were caused
by the dense smoke from the var
nished hardwood.
The fire started at the base of the
elevator shaft in the basement in some
unknown way and leaped up the shaft
to the other floors. It was soon discov-
cred by guests and servants, but not
| before it had spread to the entire
tn cal !
the woodwork in the building was as
dry as finder and in few moments the
intense heat had converted the varnish
coatings into deadly gases which
| threatened every sleeper with death.
When the fremen arrived they found
the entire Fifth street side of the
building above the second floor ablaze
| and the draft caused by the elevator
shaft making the path Of the flames
easier.
Men. and women were hanging limp
~ out Of the windows calling loudly
for help and struggling to keep the
smoke from their lungs Some were
climbing frantically down the two fire
escapes and others were cropping theil
way bindly about the inner corridors
OF the building trying to find the stairs
Rescue Work Came First.
Chief Canterbury first directed the
man to save lives. The outer walls
were lined with ladders. Hose lines
were dragged up quickly and few
men left to man them while the Others
carried the guests to the street.
| The fire had burned each way from
the elevator shaft, the full length OF
the corridor on each floor. On all but
the top floor it had stopped at the from
and rear ends. On the top floor !
swept around the corner and burned
out nearly the entire Hennepin avenue
side.
The large lightwell which extends
from the second floor up prevented thu
flames from leaping to the other wing
and greatly aided the fremen. TIL,
fires in the rooms and corridors wer'
of smoldering nature and the man,
hoselines soon had them under control
The fremen began at the third foo
in the main fight and worked their wa,
upward, on the inside. On the outside
lines were run to the top floors and TIN
water did efficient service in fghtin,
the fire in the corner of the top floor