New Britain herald., 1916-12-26

occupy apartm ents in the hotel hao a narrow escape. McMahOn was one of the first about the place, clad only in pajamas, directing the fremen as to the source of the trouble and at tempting to calm his panic-gripped guests. He attempted to hold Me Carthy as he went to his death but the latter fought him off with almost superhuman strength. Still clad in pajamas McMahon later aided the firemen and for a time assisted in handling a water line. John McMahon was carried to safety down a scaling ladder by Edward Burke of Engine Go. No. 2. The McMahon family was given temporary shelter at the home of Mrs. Sarah Doyle nearby.
 Among the firemen who did spec tacular work were Captain James Grove of Engine Co. No. 4, Hoseman Michael w. Butler of En-
 zine Co. No. 3 and Capt. Eugene Barnes of Hook and Ladder Go. No. l. It was not until about 8:30 that the last piece of apparatus, Engine Go. No. 1, returned to it's quarters. The blaze proved to be one of the hottest and most threatening that
 Ae department has had to fight for many months. Fed by the blazing grease and draft up the dumb waiter shaft, the flames attacked the Wood~ work as if it was only finder, and spread with great rapidity. Chief Dame realized that it was not the 1 s1nouldering type of blaze but one that had to be checked at once or it would be beyond control Every piece of apparatus and available man was pressed into service.
 The few who attempted to use the "spider web" fire escapes on the south side of the building found themselves on a narrow iron ladder, going sheer down for nearly four stories with a drop of about six feet into a pile of coal and rubbish.
 But for the work of Chief Dame and the police and fire details there would have been, it is believed, a heavy loss of life. McMahon was loud in his praise of the fire depart ment's efficiency saying that their work was a revelation to him and the handling of the blaze one of the best pieces of work he has ever seen.
 There was heavy police detail on the scene, the alarm coming in just as the night relief was going off duty. Sergeant George Kelley was in charge or the Ire lines TOT ct tlIIlc IdLcI l1C was relieved by Chief William J. Raw lings, who personally supervised the work.
 Among those who received badly lacerated feet was John Doherty, who walked to the house of Engine Go. No. 3 in his bare feet and scantily clad.
 He was provided with temporary clothing and shoes. Later he re- turned to his room in the hotel and got his clothing, which was found to be uninjured.
 The intense heat was noted after the fire was under control by a trip about the hotel. Paint On doors on the Main street side, separated from the flames by many feet were b1s- tered and windows cracked and brok- en. The dining room and stalrWays were practically swept clean, only charred wood being seen where paint ed and polished counters, ralhngs ana furniture once stood. The office was little damaged excepting by water the flames Jumping this section through the dumb waiter shaft to the dining room and hence following the halls and stairways into the second and third floors.
 At the start the flames put the bell signal system of the hotel entirely out of commission preventing any attempt to communicate with any of the rooms and warn the occupants or their danger. The telephone wires were burned off and so intense was 1 the heat that faucets were burned from water pipes. The latter proved the source of a mystery for long