Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-11-13
Big Fire at Takoma Park.

frame COnstruCtlOn, was occupied Oy Lne
Bliss Electrical School, and the nearly 200
occupants were students from many parts
of the world and instructors. The building
was four stories high, crowned with high
cupola, and contained 1870 sleeping apart.
ments. Its destruction was complete. The
fire burned down into the very foundation
and left but q few charred timbers standing
The building originally cost $75,00O, and
the management Of the Bliss Electrical
School added Improvements estimated at
$4,000. The plant and machinery were
worth about $50, 900, making the total loss
proxlmately $4,000. The building and
contents were insured In several companies,
bat It is not believed one-half Of the loss is
covered by the insurance.
Later In the morning an investigation
was made, and it was stated that the fire
was started by leakage of gas from pipes
In the serving room, between the kitchen
and dining room.
Several thrilling scenes marked the pro-
gress Of the confagration. The Washing
ton fire department responded to the alarms,
but the fame fighters were powerless to pre-
vent the destruction Of the building, owing
to the iufiammable nature of the time-dried
tlmbers and the high wind.
George P. Garter, the negro watchmani
was on the third floor Of the building max
ing his rounds about 2:45 o'clock in the
morning when he was startled by hearing
an explosion on the lower floor. He hur-
ried down the stairs and found that there
had been an explosion Of Illuminating gas
Ia the kitchen. The kitchen and adjoining
dining room were soon enveloped In fame
The building was provided with complete
system of fire alarm bells. Carter set them
going, and In an instant there was violent
ringing of the gongs on all the floors.
The students and instructors piled out OF
their quarters pell NELL to find the lower
portion Of the building in flames. AS the
fire was ct the beginning confined to rear of
the structure, those Of the occupants who
were In the front rooms had time to dress
hurriedly. Those in the upper rooms in the
rear were not so fortunate. Upon open
Ing their doors great volumes OF smoke
poured into their rooms. They had barely
time to rush down the stairs and out into
the frosty atmosphere, clad in scant night
garments. The citizens of Takoma Park
opened their homes to the shivering stu
dents and teachers.
Some of the occupants Of the front rooms
managed to carry out their trunks and put
them 10 places Of safety In the nearby
woods. The trunks were unlocked and the
sparsely clad ones were in q number OF In
stances given the extra garments OF those
who we're more fortunate. In the mean
time the citizens kindled fires in their homes
and supplied the chilled young men with
steaming hot coffee.
The bravery OF Rubena Herrera, q stu.
dent from Costa RIGA, was praised by his
fellow pupils and the citizens who were at.
trscted to the aFa He occupied room in
the cupola with Evan Mickle, a young man
from Reading, Michigan. The room was
about six stories from the ground. When
Herrera heard the fire gongs ringing and
saw the clouds Of smoke, he rushed down
stairs. When he saw that the lower part Of
the building was ablaze, he ran back into
the structure and went from floor to floor
knocking violently on the doors OF the sleep.
ing rooms TO arouse the occupants who were
still slumbering. Then he ran upstairs into
the cupola and aroused Mr.. MCKEE.
The two men next started to descend 10
the lower floor, but were driven back into
the cupols by the volume of flame and
smoke that was enveloping the entire rear
OF the building. Two fire ropes were found
dangling from the outside Of the cupola
and upon these the men made spectacu lar
descent TO the ground. The rope upon
which Mickle descended reached the lawn,
but that upon which Herrera went down
lacked about ten feet Of reaching the ground.
After dangling OF Its end nome Mt the Cos.
ia RicAn Jumped to the ground. Both men
escaped injury beyond the burning of their
hands by the friction caused by the rapid
descent.
s. T. Cole, one Of the instructors, was
badly burned about his hands 10 endeavor.
Ing to save some Of his property.
A student named Haywood, who is some.
what deaf, did not hear the changing Of the
fire gongs, and bis fellow students had con-
siderable difficulty 10 getting him out OF bed
and rushing him from the burning building.
By the time the Washington fire compa-
MES had reached the doomed hotel build
Ing the flames had gained such Roadway
that the firemen saw any efforts to save the
edifice would prove futile. So they directed
their energies to saving the nearby property
Clarence Mattherson, the steward, and
w. g. Meade, student from Cornig, N. Y E,
had an exciting time getting out Of the
building. The steward was one Of the first
persons 10 the building TO detect the odor
of smoke. He went from his room to the
lower floor to make an investigation and
was partly overcome by the smoke. When
he finally returned to the upper floor he
found it necessary TO crawl upon rear
TOOI. lu6u buOutCu W uAooNo W
him.
Mattherson got fire rope and managed
TO descend 70 the ground, a distance OF near
Iy four stories. Meade followed with his
scant attire and remained about the woods
partly clad until other garments were ten
dered him.
Ate O'Clock Friday morning roll call
was held Ia the town hall OF Takoma Park,
and all the students responded to the call of
their names. They were RECALLED from key
Of sweet cider and arrangements made to
provide them with food and temporary
quarters.
Mayor Plat Of Takoma was at the scene
of the fire early. He looked over tho situa.
ton and, 90 fer as was possible, made tenn
porary provision for the young men who
had lost their effects Mrs. X. Colburn, an
artist, went among the citizens OF Takoma
Park and secured Q number OF spare rooms
for the burnedout students.