The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1906-03-16
MANY ARB IN DANGER
Fire Partially Destroys New
COlfax Hotel Building.
COlfaX National Bank Threatened
But Good Work by Department
Prevents Disastrous Fire.

Fire, originating in the boiler room at
about $50 O'Clock yesterday morning,
partially destroying the new Colfax
hotel building and practically caused the
ruin OF the furnishings Of the hotel The
damage is vari0uslv estimated at from
$4,000 to Sl5, 900 Insurance on the
building Is given az $4,000.
By the greatest good fortune the fire
started in daylight instead of at night,
the time only saving some of the guests
from frightful fate. As it was several
OF them had narrow escapes, leaving the
hotel partially dressed and climbing down
ladders, or through windows to adjoin-
ing roofs.
Tie fire was a stubborn one to fight.
Starting in the basement the flames
swept up through the elevator shaft to
the roof but did not break through 1t
was difficult for the tlremen to get at the
seat OF the blaze owing to the dense
smoke which filed the big building 80
quickly that the guests who were in their
rooms, or late risers, were unable to find
their way through the halls to the one
staircase.
BY dint Of hardwork the firemen
finally succeeded in working three streams
quickly subdued, but not until the entire
hotel and the rooms of the Colfax Ma
tional bank below were flooded.
The bank had barely opened when the
fire broke out. The books and valuabes
were quickly moved into the vault while
volunteers began dragging out the furn-
lture OF the hotel office and the stock in
the bar. The damage 10 the bank is
through flooding with water. Temper
arily the business Of the bank will be
transacted at the First Savings and
Trust Bank.
When the Hremen arrived the smoke
was pouring out through the roof in a
forced draft. The blaze was located in
the basement but it was some time before
an effective stream quenched the lower
flames
OF the first Of the guests to be rescued
were L. i. Scudder and Ii A. Lingen-
brink, representing the Germania Life
Insurance company. The two were in a
corner room of the third story. When
the fremen started to raise an extension
ladder to take the men out, the ladder
caught on the big wires. Then came a
daring and clever bit Of work in life saw
ing.
W. 0. Allen, an electrician employed
by COdd i Mackenzie, climbed the
ladder which rested on the icy pavement,
supported only BY few men at the bot
tom. At the top Allen swung the wire
over the ladder and allowed it aud him.
self to fall over to the building, he
switching to the opposite side az the
ladder began to move. 1t was a brave
piece of work, worthy OF praise.
John jackson, brother in law OF Land
lord Martin MalOney, and Mrs. Jackson,
we're asleep on the third floor when the
alarm was given. They were unable to
fight their way through the smoke filled
halls and we're forced TO go out through
the windows to the roof of the building
north Of the hotel.
Van Johnson, sleeping ia a rear room
on he third floor was completely cut off
by the smoke and was left in his room
directly over the fire. The firemen failed
tO see him and it was not until outsiders
strapped ladders together and showed
them up TO the window, that his life was
out of serious danger.
Andrew Johnson, another roOmer on
the third floor, bad q narrow escape from
being suffOcated with the smoke. He
was aroused and, partially dressing
started to run down the smoky halls
and stairway. Twice he came near be-
ing overcome by the smoke but managed
to fight his way out. Other guests mad
narrow escapes and we're forced to leave
their clothing behind.
In recognition Of the good work of the
fire department, H. W. Livingston, owner
of the hotel building yesterday forenoon
presented the tiremen with 800.
Work of retitting and rebuilding the
hotel will begin at once.