Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1908-07-30
THE LOCK HAVEN
HOSPITAL BURNED.

Tuesday Evening 5 LOCK haven ENpfess'
The most disastrous fire that has oc.
Cured in this city in recent years was
the one that destroyed the Lock Haven
hospital this afternoon. Not only did
the fiery element completely ruin the
building, but the scenes and incidents
in removing the 40 or more patients to
places of safety was attended by great
excitement, but, fortunately the sick
and injured were all removed before
the flames had gained much headWay.
The doors of nearby residences soon
become temporary hospitals and nurses
and physicians worked to care for
those who needed immediate attention.
Some of the patients were so badly
frightened that attendants would not
say as to the outcome. Cottages and
the Normal school were also used to
house the patients, one trip after an
other was made by the ambulance in
conveying the sick and injured where
they could be cared for.
Private carriages, cabs and vehicles
of every description were also pressed
into service as ambulances. Some Of
the patients were taken to the homes
of relatives and friends in different
parts of the city. One patient submit
ted to a minor operation this morning
and another was to be operated on
this afternoon. Several patients suf-
fering from typhoid fever are CON
valescing and in these cases no fatal
results are anticipated.
LATER NEWS FROM THE FIRE.
At 2:15 o'clock the fire is still burn.
ing fiercely and frequent explosions of
various chemicals in the doomed build
ing are heard All of the smaller
buildings or the hospital grounds used
as barn, ice house and for other pur-
poses will be saved. Hope Hose steam
er, No. /, which is attached to fire
plug at the Normal corner has greatly
increased the pressure on the two hose
lines connected to it and is greatly aid
ing the firemen in their work.
All of the furniture and other arti-
cles removed from the building are
being hauled to the old boat house,
where they will be stored.
WATER SUPPLY SHORT.
After the blaze was first discovered
there is no doubt in the minds of any
one that saw it in its incipiency that
the building could have been saved if
there had been sufficient supply of
water, for when Good Will Hose COM
pany team dashed up the Susquehanna
avenue hill that company secured the
plug nearly opposite the house of Ira
M. Harvey. president of city council
They laid line of hose to the main
building, being the first company on
the scene, but they were astonished
when they discovered that there was
no pressure and only scant supply
at this plug. AT once they, as we'll as
persons who watched its progress,
realized that the hospital was doomed
to destruction. Other companies laid
lines of hose, but there was no water
10 combat the flames and slowly and
surely the fire Quilted the building.
GREAT CROWD ON HAND.
AS soon as the populace learned that
the hospital was burning great crowd
OF men, women and children were soon
on the way to see the sights. Automo-
biles, carriages and vehicles of every
description lined the sides of Susque-
hanna Avenue, and interfered some
what with the work of the firemen.
Three dogs were killed by being run
down by fire apparatus, autos or by
trolley cars.
Every car from either end of the line
was packed with people all anxious to
get to the fire. Probably no greater
excitement was ever caused by a pre-
vious confagration.
Emporium Silver Kings.