The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-08-07
A Destructive Fire.

Last Sunday evening, just after
dark, the fire alarm was sounded and
it was soon discovered that the Santa
Fe freight depot was on fire. At the
time of the fre the depot was sur
rounded with empty aud partly loaded
cars, all of which were soon mass Of
fame. Among the freight we're a
great many barrels of Coal oil and
gasoline from our local fetineries,
billed out to their customers.
The fire boys were soon on hand
with their apparatus but as there was
not enough water pressure 10 ill their
hose, they were powerless.
After the freight cars and depot
were pretty we'll destroyed, sufficient
power was received to enable the boys
to throw a small stream almost TO the
top of the box car and they made the
most Of it,
BY the hardest of work and the fur
ther fact that there was scarcely a
breath of air going at Che time, the
fire was kept from spreading.
The depot with its surrounding
sheds and warehouse of freight with
ten box and fat cars were entirely
destroyed.
The Office boys succeeded in saving
most of their valuable papers and
records. One of the cars on the track
was loaded with household goods
ready for shipment.
The fire originated from an ex-
plosion of gas n box car loaded with
gasoline and coal oil. An emploYe
entered the car with Lighted lantern
and the explosion followed.
The coal oil IN barrels and the
gasoline in steel tubs soon became
heated and explosion after explosion
followed shooting column of fire and !
black smoke hundreds Of feet into the |
air. To the spectator on high ground |
in the south part Of town it was a
wonderful spectacle, but to the crowds
surrounding the fire, each explosion
was signal for a genera stampede.
The loss for the Santa Fe will run
well up into the thousands.
All the freight arrivals for the day
were consumed as also considerable
stuff received for shipment.
The absolute impoteucy Of our
water system in case of fire was
clearly demonstrated. There was
simply no pressure. We do not know
why. Somebody is seriously to blame.
If 1T is the fire boys they should be
disciplined. II 1t is the man at tue
power house he should be fired. If IL
is the negligence Of the city council
in not providing proper facilities, the
council should quit, If it is the fault
of the people in not furnishing the
council with proper funds and en
enlargement to put and keep the
water plant in shape, then they
should not complain,
We are of the opinion that there
has been little thoughtessness and
neglect all around. We believe the
council should thoroughly investigate
1t should not take a half hour or
more to get on the water pressure we
have after the alarm Is sounded.
By the way, did anybody hear the
fire whistle or even the bell, Sunday
nightp
We are informed that the fire hell
gave few taps some time after the
fire was discovered.
We are told that the hydran'e all
over the city were wide open and Acre
left so during the fire. This would
destroy a great deal OF the pressure,
We believe there is an ord lance
assessing fins for this kind Of bust
ness. Yes, If the people are not
notified Of fire by bell or whistle, they
cannot be expected to close the hy-
drants.
We thlnk we will have to have a
good standpipe before we get satisfac'
tory service.
If the people Of this CITY could but
lust see their way to check up little
on some of these luXuries they are
demanding till the water works could
be put 10 shape we would derive more
benefit from our money.
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