Evening star., 1911-08-10
FIRE IN BIG HOTEL
Carlton, in London, Scene of
an Exciting Blaze.
AMERICANS AMONG GUESTS
Many Are Forced to Flee in Scant-
lest Of Attire.
ONLY ONE LIFE IS LOST
Jameson Lee Finney, an American
Actor, Found Dead in Bathroom.
Will Reopen.
ONLY ONE LIFE IS LOST


the Carlton Hotel shortly before
o'clock last night. In addition to causing
such commotion as the West End OF
it resulted in the precipitate abandon
ment Of the hotel by practically all the
guests. the majority of whom were Amer
leans. as we'll as one death and damage
estimated at s1JO.OOO.
The discovery that the fire had caused
one death was made at late hour last
night. when body was found on one
of the top floors. 1t was SO charred as
to be almost beyond recognition. but was
later established to be that of Jameson
Lee Finney. an American actor. The
body was found in the bathroom adjoin-
ing Mr.. Finney's room on the fifth floor
of the annex. Apparently, Mr. Finney
before dressing, and was asphyxiated. The
body was removed to the morgue later
in the evening and an inquest will be
held Saturday.
Traffic Near Hotel Halted.
From o'clock until minight the neigh
borhood of the Carlton was closed to traf-
fic. the fire engines being still on the
scene at the latter hour, although then
there. was no apparent necessity for their
presence. BY 7:3O great crowds of people
gathered in Pail Mall. Cockspur street and
the upper portion of the Haymarket, kept
at distance of fifty yards by strong cor
dons OF police. A few mounted constables
were later called into requisition. Scores
of motor cars and taxicabs. taking people
in evening dress to dinner engagements.
were held up at the various approaches
and the dislocation of general traffic in
the neighborhood was great.
The guests had been surprised by the
outbreak while changing their attire for
dinner. Some of them we're in their baths
when the alarm was raised and had not
stopped any longer than was necessary
snatching UP any sort of covering that
was handiest.
The fire started in the service lift con-
Meeting the kitchens, which are on the
topmost OF the six floors. with the res
taurant on the ground floor. Although the
building is of modern fireproof construc-
ton the flames spread with extraordinary
rapid: :ty and in few minutes the fourth.
fifth and kitchen floors were alight.
Chief Damage From Water.
Lines OF hose were dragged up all the
stairways and tons Of water were poured
into the upper rooms. Damage from wa
ter is greater than that done by the fire.
Most of the interior OF the building was
thoroughly soaked. The manager says
the hotel is not badly damaged and Will
resume busnaes Immediately.
The blaze started in the elevator shaft
from the fusing Of an electric wire and
roared so threateningly that the people
poured out into the streets. leaving all
their baggage Men in their underc:othes.
with overeoats over them, and women
hai Arr hot. a n
their backs. fed the building.
Firemen arrived quickly and rescued a
number of servants. who. from the up
Per windows. were shrieking to the eA-
carried out two invalid guests: The gen
eral alarm sent out said: The Carlton
Hotel is we'll alight and lives are sup
posed 10 be in danger This brought a
great force OF apparatus from all me
stations within a radius OF three miles.
The upper floor. where most of the
damage by fire was done. was given
over mostly to servants quarters Com
| paratively Few of the guests lost their
baggage The salvage corps removed
trunks and bags. and piled them in the
streets.
Theater Forced to Close.
Thousands of persons afoot and in
| motor cars filled the adjoining streets
and watched the fire. The Haymarket
across the street from the hotel. was
| compelled to cancel its performance on
account of the fire. His Majesty 8
Theater Is closed.
The appearance of Winston Churchill.
the hero of Sidney street siege. aroused
resentment among number OF on
lockers and he was booed
What are you doing there" Get
cut" they shouted, and Mr.. Churchill
did not stay long.
Most of the guests had just returned
from a rouno OF sightseeing. and were
I'm their rooms preparing for dinner.
A. L. Pratt of New York. with his
wife. occupied a room on the top floor.
After the fire Mr.. Pratt said:
.; was dressed for dinner and grab
bed my coat and hurried Mrs. Pratt
:nto the street. We saved nothing"
Mrs c. Shippy and son and Miss Jessie
Gardiner of Chicago had just arrived at
the hotel from oxford. They were re-
moving the dust of travel from their
clothes when the cry OF fire came They
had Just time TO leave their rooms I'm the
scantitsi attire and lost a., their lug
Rage which the porters only a moment
| before had deposited In their rooms.
Like other guests. they were seT:t ..l
cabs 10 other hotels belonging 10 the
company that owns the Carlton.
James r. Keene Cool.
James r. keene. the well known New
York financier and horseman. was one
| OF the coolest victims of the fire. He
was sitting in his room when the alarm
rang. and calmly walked downstairs.
! lighting a cigar, and then stood on the