The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-06
.FIREMEN HURT in
A LAUNDRY FIRE
BODY OF CAT FOUND, EXPLAIN
I1yG TALE OF LOST LIFE.
Hennepin Steam Laundry on First Ave
nue. N Is Quilted by Flames, Causing
Loss Of $4,000, Covered by Insur-
ance- Other Property Menaced.

Five men were injured and property
valued at $4,000 was destroyed by the
lire, which was in the building occu-
pied by the Hennepin steam laundry,
40 First avenue N.
The building occupied by the laun-
dry is a three-story structure, and the
flames started in the rear, probably
from crossed wires or q defective hue.
From the rear of the first floor the
flames rapidly spread to the top floors
and then, famed by good breeze,
they leaped to the front Of the build
ing. " :. ~,
Before the watchmen were aware of
it, the fire had spread to all parts Of the
building, and when the iremen arrived
they saw they were in for hard fight.
a second and third alarm were turned
IN and nearly all of the apparatus in
the city was hurried to the place, to
prevent a spread to the other buildings.
Shortly after the hose lines were in
working order the flames leaped to the
building occupied by the Thurston-H He off,
man Sign company and the Minneapolis
Pattern company. AS there were many
more iremen on hand than could pos
sib!y work on the burning laundry
building, a large force was detailed
to save the surrounding property The
flames that were already in the fac
tory were speedily extinguished, and
the lire was soon under perfect control.
In Peril of Death. -.
Jens Krag and julius johnson, a
Watchman at the laundry, were room
ing on the third floor and did not
smoke. Their escape was already cut
off by the fire and they appeared at
the windows and yelled for help. One
OF them, however. noticed the fire es-
cape, and they slid down to the first
floor and then jumped into net. They
were slightly burned about the hands
and face when they passed the win
ing:
Shortly after the men escaped, the
floors Of. the building gave way, and
crashed thru to the basement, throw
Ing sparks high into the air and ere.
ating a new danger. The sparks and
floating frebrands, however, did no
damage.
AS the. building fell, several Of the
firenen declare, there was a scream
This started the rumor that woman
had lost her life, but no definite in
formation could be obtained until to.
day. "a.
Body of Cat Found. -
EARLY today fremen found the dead
body of a cat in the ruins and as the
search failed to reveal human body,
they are satisfied that no lives were
lost. -
Three Of the fremen were injured
while fighting the flames. Lieutenant
Charles Iunt fell from ladder and
was badly bruised and shaken up. He
was taken to his home and a physician
summoned. E. BENJAMIN fell from 9
shed at the rear Of the building and
serous aeoTgs SMITH, e bstsr9 rs H15
as ~ Thunderbolt' Smith, the -colored
fireman. fell into pile Of oxen glass
and cut an artery in his wrist. De
tective Otto Wirtensohn saw him fall
and ran to his aid, binding up the
wound. Wirtensohn then obtained ar
automobile and took Smith to the city
hospital. All of the injured persons
except Lunt, were taken to the city
hospital.
Fourteen horses were in the barn il
the rear when the fire started, but were
rescued. Several Of the delivery wag
ons were destroyed.
The fire started shortly after I.
clock, and it was O'Clock befor!
the fighting force was diminished.
small force was kept at the building
nearly all night.
w: NJ. Lawrence, proprietor, Of tn
laundry, says all his patrons will b.
cared for without hitch. Other laun
dries have agreed to do the work unit
his plant can be rebuilt. His men will
collect the articles as usual and tn
plant will be reconstructed as soon a
/ possible.
The building was well insured. AS
sistant Fire Marshal Wilson says tn
total loss will amount to about $4,000