Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-09-04
Blaze Starts in Casino Cafe,
Ocean Park, Near Los An
geIes, and Sweeps Through
Business District.
FLAMES ARE DRIVEN
TOWARD VENICE
Five Fire Companies Hurry to
CONFEDERATION but Decatur
Hotel, Frazier Pier, Casino
and Auditorium Burn,

ny Morning journal Special Lea-e6 Wire.
Los Angeles. Sept. 3.--Firc whict
started in the Casino cafe at occal
Park at o'clock threatens to wipe
out the Iwln Beach resorts Of occaf
Park and Venice.
Five fire companies were rushed
to the beach from Los Angeles, but
before they arrived, the center of the
Ocean Park concession and business
district, had been burned and high
wind was sweeping the flames toward
Venice The block from Piera ave-
nue to Marine street VAS completely
destroyed.
The flames were still uncontrolled
at 5 O'Clock and the loss at that houi
was estimated at $l,000000 The Dc
catur hotel, Frazier Pier Casino and
auditorium had been destroyed. No
fatalities had been reported.
The fire was brought under con
troll at . o'clock So far as known. one
life was lost and the damage to prop
crty is estimated al more than $1,000
600. OF this, s75O.o00 includes the
Frazier Pier and pier buildings, and
the remainder is the damage to the
buildings and furnishings on land.
Il. w. Leach, chef of the Casino
cafe. penned in at the end of the pier,
jumped into the ocean and was
drowned
Heroic rescues OF women were made
at the Decatur hotel.
The flames spread rapidly through
out the concession district along the
water front, sweeping everything
from the Dragon Gorge. "A huge roller
coaster, down toward Venice. The
big ocean Park bath house and
plunge seemed to cheek their progress
and the wind died down, giving the
fire department, augmented by five
companies from Los Angeles, an op-
to get the fire under con
troll. After the flames had destroyed
everything on the Frazier
Pier, they attacked the Decatur ho-
tel which was burned. There were
many thrilling rescues and Special
officer Charles simpson, the last
man to leave the building, brought
out Mrs. II. G. Lathrop an Invalid.
from the top floor. Many guests suf-
Tered losses in gems, money and
Nine babies. including one Japa-
1ese infant weighing IA ounces were
saved from the Baby Incubator" on
he pier by Frederick House The
abios were taken in the metal cases
If the incubators ana carried safely
,ff the blazing pier,
Catholics gathered in st. Clemens
'hurch at $50 o'clock AVID prayers
we're said by Father Hcnnessey. The
'hurch bells called those who had
ost their all and those whose homes
we're threatened. The wind seemed |
o shift just at this time and although |
he emhers were falling all around. !
he church escaped ignition. Its yard |
lad been made storage place for
ons of household goods.
The heaviest loss WAS suffered by /
he Frazier million-dollar pier com
amy. The pier and buildings on itl
we're valued at $4,000. The dam
&c to other buildings and furnish
nes is estimated at $l,500,000 The
uilding and plant Of the ocean Park
ournal was destroyed, with a loss Of
$4,000 The Decatur hotel was val
ed at $4,000
All companies Of the seventh rcgi
lent. California national guard IN
.os Angeles and vicinity were or
cred to Ocean Park tonight to
uard the ruins,
The fire was still burning in a
unber Of places at a late hour. but
was thought that ii would bc held
ithin bounds unless the Nt'ocity of I
he wind increased.