The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-06-06
SEVENTEEN DIE IN
Big HOSPITAL FIRE
PATIENTS STAMPEDE AND SOME
OF RESCUED RUN BACK INTO
BURNING STRUCTURE.
NO ONE BLAMED FOR TRAGEDY
No Theory of Origin Of Fire Except
Possible Defective Wlring-Two
Badly Burned.

Columbia.-Seventeen persons were
burned to death when the eleventh
ward, a single-story wooden structure,
at the State Hospital for the Insane,
was destroyed by fire at 3 o'clock.
Two other patients are in q proCarious
condition. Fifteen Of the patients
were burned to death within the four
walls. Two died later in the day from
burns. The ward was occupied by as
patients.
An inquest was held by Coroner
Scott, when a thorough investigation
as to the possible cause Of the fire
was made. From the testimony adj
duced. no theory was advanced as to
the origin Of the fire except possibly
from defective insulation Of the cleo
trio wiring. 1t was developed that all
night employees were at their respec-
tive posts and that no delinquency Of
duty was attached to any one connect
ed with the institution. The tragedy
was regarded as wholly unavoidable
and no blame could be placed on any
one.
Building of Wood.
The building was a small one-story
wOoden structure and was one of the
Oldest on the grounds. The flame was
discovered between the ceiling and
the roof, which was covered with a
layer Of three-ply paper roofing. This,
DR.. Williams explained in his testi-
mony was regarded as ireproof by in
surance companies. In further precau-
ton. he had consulted the Columbia
fire department and procured its con-
sen to use the material before it was
put on. The state electrician, DR.. Will
liams further said. has been constantly
alert in making inspections Of wiring
about the institution. The architect
also has been watchful and the en-
ployees are continually instructed to
be on guard In %precaution against pos.
sible fires. The cooking for the pa
tients takes place in another building,
and hot water is led through mains
from other buildings. Patients are
not allowed to handle matches. The
theory as to defective wiring was the
most plausible DR.. Williams could sug-
gest. The lame was discovered in
the ceiling directly in line with the
wiring.
F. l.. Altman, the night attendant OF
the eleventh ward, discovered the fire
just before 3 o'clock, he said. He was
sitting in the small office leading into
the ward when he detected an odor Of
something burning. He made a hur-
ried inspection of the interior OF the
ward, and then rushed to the outside
for a quick survey of the building.
He rushed back into the ward and
again seeing no flame wan to the back
side of the building. Turning back
into the ward he saw a small jet OF
flame protruding through the ceiling.
While giving testimony DR.. Will
liams emphasized hat this stamped
ing" was characteristic Of normal per.
sons. He had known of children rush
ing into the burning bull and try
ing to seek shelter in thciI ,eds when
the house was burning down. he said.
The Dead.
Thomas w. Baker, Marion.
j. w. Brock, Seneca.
Willie Boyter, Moore.
Jake Bell, Aiken.
H.. H.. Free, Blackville.
j. B. Greer. Greer.
j. r. Green. ~Spartanburg.
Rufust Hewitt, Aynor.
Henry Lamb, Ridgeland.
l.. M. Lewie. Conway.
Albert McSwain, Vaucluse.
John Owensey, G%reenville.
e.. l., Sillman. WILLIAMSON.
j. G.. Todd, Charleston.
Walter White, Plum Branch.
T.. II. Wells, Mt. Carmel.
Severely Burned
j. B. Zimmerman, Kirksey.
Hector Logan, New B.ookland.