Evening journal., 1908-03-05
PROBING CAUSE.
OF SCHOOL FIRE
Nothing TO Show That it Was
the Work OF an
lnCendiaFy
HOW THE CHILDREN
WERE PENNED IN TRAP

BY United Press Leased Special Wire
CLEVELAND. o.. March 5-The Col
linwood Board Of Education Is invesu-
eating the cause Of the fire. There
has been nothing disclosed TO show
thes iightest proof that the fire was
Of incendiary origin. In just what
part Of the basement the fire originated
is still a mystery
Testimony at the School Boards
meeting showed that the flames were
first seen near the frontd cor. coming
up from the basement steps. This is
directly over the closet IN which some
girls We're hiding while playing a
game.
The architects scout the theory that
the flames erawled TO the front of the
building from the furnace.
Janitor Hirter testified that the first
knowledge he had Of the fire was from
young girl in the basement. Hirter
said;
Il ran up stairs and gave the alarm
for fire drill-three taps Of the gong.
Then I threw omen an Of the doors
leading to teh outside. These consisted
Of two double sets Of doors in the front
ana rear or the building. After that
did all in my power to aid in rescu.
ing pupils"
The testimony as TO which way the
rear doors opened Is very conflicting.
The plans Of the school show the rear
doors opening out, not in Whether they
wereb uilt according TO the plan is
very much ia dispute. The evidence,
Is Of course. destroyed.
The ames Were shooting out Of the
woodwork and from the flooring around
the front door when the children reach
ca the lower hall. One Of the teachers
rushed her pupils through the flames 10
safety
Children crazed With Fright.
Crazed with fright crying madly cor
help, the other children. however
rushed to the rear Of the building ia
the hope Of making their way out in
safety through the Wide doorway there
Lake View School had S72 pupils en-
rolled. Probably $50 or more attended
school Wednesday morning Many ~
/ the smaller children On the frst floor
I had alrady left the building before tho
\ panic but more than 200 pupils still
1 remained inside These 200 began a
! struggle to escape through one door
way Some of those m front tripped
and fen. Others trying to force their
way out fell upon them
Ia an instant the doorway was
blocked with a STRUGGLING mass Of chill
dren. Boys and girls ia the rear con-
tinued 10 fight for their lives. endeavor-
Z 4l..
they were hopelessly entangled.
What had seemed TO be a way of
escape became a trap. Children a.
front, only a few feet from safety. were
not only lost but they barred to way
Of those back OF them. According to
the story Of one lad. who is dying in
the hospital thes tairway to the second
floor fell in hurying many helpless lit
tie ones in the blazing debris.
Families Without Money.
Material distress has existed IN Coll
linwood for months due 70 the fact that
many factories have been partially or
entirely closed. Scores Of families arc
without money 70 bear funeral eX-
| penses. eMdieine ana food must be
had. Physicians are doing heroic work
to relieve the suffering Of injured chill
| dern and nrostratea parents but with
out money many fear TO seek aid.
I The Collsnwood Council and Board Of
4 Trade. the press Of Cleveland and its
Z business men are extending aid 70 the
sufferers.
John r. Moran. chief State factory
Inspector, whose department has iuris-
diction over an public buildings left
Columbus for Cleveland this morning
to make an examination Of the ruins.
Section 2527 Of the Ohio statutes PRO
vides a penalty Of $500 fine for officers
in charge Of public buildnisgs who per-
init its use where the doors swing in
ward, or whese they are locked during
occupancy; whore ample means Of exit
are not provided and where there is not
provision for extinguishing fire. The
Collinwood huilaing was never inspect
ed by the State inspector.