The Detroit times., 1911-05-27
ANIMALS RUN WILD
AS FIRE SWEEPS
CONEY ISLAND
Seventy-Nine Infuriated Beasts
Are Killed or Burn to Death
When Flames Lay Center of
Famous Resort In Ruins.
Dreamland Is Pile of Smoking Debris
Total Financial Loss Is Placed
At $3,oOo,OO0.

NEW YORK, May 27-Fire start
Ing from crossed electric wires or
from the half smoked stump. OF a
cigarette, today swept through the
center OF Coney Island, the most ex-
pensive amusement resort in the
world. Starting a few minutes after
o'clock In "Dreamland," 1t was be-
yond control before a watchman could
sound an alarm.
Until nearly o'clock fremen risk.
ed their lives to stop the spread OF
the flames. 1t was only after they
had made final desperate stand with
tons OF water pumped from the ocetn
by fire boats that they got the upper
hand. The total loss Will exceed
$4,000, ,000.
No fire in the history of the city
has been so replete with exciting
incidents. Seventy-nine infuriated
animals were killed or burned to
death. Lives or thousands were en-
dangered when animal trainers and
caretakers, losing their heads in the
excitement, threw open cages and
permitted lions, tigers. leopards aud
balloons to race frantically through
the streets maddened by their burns.
A leopard and big bear We're shot
by firemen a block from where they
were liberated, big lion was chased
by policemen who emptied their re-
volvers into him without reaching a
vital spot and then finally killed him
with an axe after he took refuge In
long chute. A big baboen, on fire and
enraged beyond endurance, was kill
ed as he arose to his feet and turned
to give battle TO firemen who were
trying to save him.
Six infants, occupants OF the baby
fncubators, were wrapped in bundles
of cotton and carried out under the
arms OF Policeman ]. j. Krink. They
were tenderly cared for In the Coney
Island reception hospital and will
live.
The great Drcamland tower blazed
up like giant torch and then crum-
bled. shortly after 3 o'clock, a mass
OF blackened ruins.
In the rush of the flames there
were a hundred rescues of men and
women cut of In trying to save per-
sonal belongings. Three men and
girl. fishing at the end of the big iron
pier adjoining Dreamland on the east
were cut off by the fire. A wire cur
tain from a fire boat nozzle kept the
fire back until the police boat took
them off. Kenneth Sutherland's widow
and her sister. Miss Anna Stuben.
board tried TO save their jewels and
money. They were cut of and car.
ried over blazing roof by firemen.
Capt Jack Bonavita, best known
lion trainer in America, while trying
TO save Black Prince. his favorite
lion, fell unconscious from smoke and
was dragged TO the street.
The fire started In the He'll Gate
scenic railway, the oldest attraction
in Dreamland. Famed by a brisk
wind IL rushed through the theaters
and moving picture shows. Then IL
swung back and ragged down both
sides of the park 10 Surf-ave. The
big Balmer bathing pavilion. and the
steel steamer pier also soon were
ablaze.
In the Ferrari animal building on
Surf-ave.. an attempt was made TO
save the animals. Some OF the small
or ones were hurled into travelling
cages and others were roped, tied and
carried into buildings beyond the Ere
zone. But soon the cries of the terri
fed animals got on the nerves OF the
handlers and cages were thrown open
unfortunately.
Luna Park on the side of Surf-ave.,
the famous Bowery, and Steeplechase
Park. although in danger for time
from the sparks, were uninjured.
Dreamland, II is said will be rebuilt,
as will Balmer's and the other struc-
lures destroyed.
DUBUQUE. Iowa, May 27.-Fire OF
incendiary origin swept the lumber
districts early today. causing loss
of more than 100000. Two men, as
vet unidentified. are under arrest
charged with being the "frebugs."
The greatest loss fell upon the
STANDARD Lumber Co., which lost half
a million Fires started at midnight
In four different places. II was not
until after Z a. m. that the fires were
under control.
ADVERTISING TALKS.