The Hawaiian gazette., 1910-10-21
Medical Institute Loses It's In
struments in Severe Mid
night Blaze.
BUILDING Quilted BY FLAMES
Prompt Action Of Department
Saves Adjacent Houses
From Loss.
rFrom Thursday.a Aaver.laer.l

Cutting the building of the Honolulu
Institute for Physiotherapy and threat
ening the entire Royal Hawaiian Hotel
block, a fire broke out last night in
the first named building, and was saved
from being greatly more destructive
only by the prompt and energetic action
of the fire department..
The fire was almost beyond control
by the time the engines arrived on the
scene, as the building was an old one
and furnished easy progress to the
flames, but while its contents were lost
and the building itself hopelessly
burned, the adjacent cottages did not
even light.
1t is not yet known how the fire
started, and it will probably be found
that it has burned away evidences of
its source, but it is believed that it
arose from a short-circuited wire, as the
building was full of electrical appli'
ances and wiring.
The damage could not be estimated
last night, but as the institute lost all
its instruments it will be considerable.
They were partially insured, but no
insurance was carried on the building.
DR.. G. +. Straub, consulting physi-
clan of the institute, was working in
the building up to nine O'Clock, when
he returned home and went to bed.
The fire was first reported shortly be-
fore eleven, when passersby saw flames
inside the building, and evidently on
the floor. II will not be until more
complete Investigation is made that the
exact origin of the fire can be located.
The alarm was turned in by telephone,
and the firemen were already at work
before any except few persons knew
that there was any fire at all.
The roof caught quickly and made a
brave showing, as the flames leaped so
high that their reflection could be seen
all over the city. Cottage H, the two
story building of the Hawaiian Hotel
Immediately adjacent on the makai side,
was feared to be doomed, and hasty
exodus was commenced. The attention
of the fremen was first turned to this
building, and at no time did it catch
fire, although it was in constant danger.
The flames had been almost subdued
and the men were working in the build
ing when they broke out anew on the
roof and necessitated hasty action be.
fore they were again and for the last
time put out.
Doctor Straub lives in Cottage K
adjoining the McGrew cottage on the
Beretania side and was asleep when
the fire broke out. He stated last
night that he had no idea how the fire
started as every thing was in proper
order when he left the building.
Owing to the fact that it was still
alarm the police learned nothing Of
it until Chief McDuffie and his men
were about to leave headquarters for
the evening and saw the reelection. The
patrol was at once ordered out, and
as they approached the scene and locat-
ed the fire McDuffie began to figure
out his insurance; for his own cottage
is but further down the street. His
first attempt at investigation after ar
irving was met by full stream of
water from one of the fire hose and he
was effectually put out before the fire
was.
just as the fire was placed under con-
troll another still alarm came in from
the railroad wharf where another fire
was reported. Chief Thurston imme-
AidlGil I'LL lHt HtGHd VI Inc nAcb Ii .
and shot through the crowd in the de-
partment IS auto. "A moment later one
of the chemical engines smashed
through after it and tore down King
street. Near Bethel the engine skidded
on the wet street and almost crashed
into street car. The alarm ON the
waterfront proved to be false one and
they returned.
One circumstance which greatly aided
the fremen was the fact that the alb
sence of the whistle alarm left them
practically clear streets and they were
unhampered by the crowds. The whistle
has now been disconnected andawill
blow at no more fires, although it Would
not have blown last night had it been
still in use.
The McGrew cottage was formerly
situated where the Young Hotel now
stands and was moved to its present
site when the hotel was built. II
was at one time the residence of the
British minister to the Hawaiian royal
government and has many historic con
nections.
The Physiotheraphy Institute which
occupied the building up TO last night
had many valuable Instruments In II
at the time II was destroyed, includ.
ing X,ray machines and other electro.
medical appliances,