Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-21
Fire Destroyed One of the Big Build- ings on the Grounds This Marn-
 Ing st MiddleteWn
PATIENTS WERE REMOVED
Man Who Was Aiding the Bremen h Their Work Was Killed
 By a Falling Wall.

Middietown, June 21.-Ths in- mates of the State Hospital for the Insane were given thorough scare here early to-day when fire destroyed the big four-story building known as the amusement hall of the asylum. which is located about fifty feet from the main building and also about fifty feet from Center cottage, one of the biggest dormitories for womeE connected with the institution. The burned building was one Of the orig inal of the asylum group and al- though built of stone and brick burn ed rapidly, the entire contents Of the building being destroyed. the total loss being estimated upwards of $So,- 900. During the height of the fire, 104 insane women were removed from Center cottage to a building farther away from the blaze, this be- ing done as a precautionary measure, as shift of the wind may have caus- ed their dormitory to burn also. AS 1t was the dormitory was unharmcd. Dr Fisher, the superintendent of the asylum, said that there was no dis order among the inmates and that they were moved quietly, yet with dispatch. He said they showed 4 sur. 2 prising coolness and that many of those in other buildings more distant than the Center cottage displayed more fear than the women who were transferred. There was no sign of panic among any group of inmates at the asylum.
 F. L. Lichtenstein, the secretary, treasurer and general manager Of the Merchants Silk company, was killed. by being crowded into the fire escape on the main building In an attempt to escape from the falling west wall of the building. Mir Lichtenstein was one of a great many spectators at the fire and was trying to aid the Bremen when the west wall showed signs or toppling. He started to run when he saw the wall was finally going to fall and ran toward the main building. Part of the wall fell on him and he was thrown with great force against the fire escape of the main building. Falling across the Iron work of the fire escape. Mir Lichtenstein was near ly cut in two and was instantly kill cd. His body was picked up and car ried to local undertaker's where It will await his wife. who left few days ago for a visit to Atlantic High lands. N. J. Mir Lichtenstein was about ,32 years old and came here 2 short time ago from York, Pa.
 The building burned was used for various purposes. The basement Hoo. formed a cold storage plant for the asylum and the second floor was used as quarters for nurses and servants. About forty women were housed on this floor and nearly. all lost their belongings. Some of them escaped with little more than their night clothes, but all were got out safely It is thought the fire started In a hath room on this floor. probabl, from a crossed electric wire. Tnt third and fourth floors comprised the amusement hall for the inmates. Re gently 1t had been entirely gone over several thousand dollars having peer spent in fitting 1t up. A new o.gan stage and scenery formed part ot 'h' equipment and everything was de stroyed. This building was connected with the main building by two en closed passageways. which when the. caught fire threatened to carry m blaze to the larger buildings. bu special care was taken to head of the flames at that point. The electri liahting plant at the institution va located in the basement of the burne' building and 1t was destroyed also hut as the institution is veil sup piled with gas there will be little in convenience as a result Of the purn ing of the electric plant.
 It is said that If the asylum gu thorities had sent for the local hr department as soon as the Ire wa discovered there might have been
 good chance of saving the building As it was, several of the nurses an others at the institution set about ! an attempt to check the flames ' usirg the fire extinguishers. but tn Are soon got away from them an thread through the floor almost 5' fare the amateur fire fighters realize it. Then they sent In an alarm an two companies responded, put oy u time they redC1td tuc thsteNcoA - - fire was almost beyond control. ID nrcmen were handicapped by pos water pressure and after 1t was see that the building was doomed. the attention was turned toward pr tectinx nearby property In whis tLey succeeded we'll
 Presentations have been made . ready for the rebuilding of the bur Cd structure. the first step being Il caiiine together of the board of tru tees for the purpose of mapping nl definite plans. This meeting vill helf tomorrow morning at 10 oclo' and 1t wiII be attended by Govern Roberts. The insurance on the bull irx is divided between several cor psnies and the loss Is fully rovere It is said the damage 10 the huIldi' alone wfil reach about sl2.oee sl the contents were valued 7t sbo sfk.oee. there being nearly sot loss on the latter