The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-09-28

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The blaze first was discovered by
a negro cook. 1t started in the kitch-
en- fine but draft caused the flames
to flare up to the top floor. The en-
tire fourth floor was a mass OF
flames and smoke almost instantly.
Thousands gathered as soon as fire
engines began racing to the point.
Police lines were quickly stretched
HIHut so high up was the fire the
throng had every advantage in view
ing the firemen at work.
1t took two hours for the flames
to be subdued The first alarm went
in at S:45 o'clock. Thine and time
again firemen were cheered by the
throng as some especial bit of daring
was attempted.
G. e. Brown, master mechanic at
headquarters. walked along a wet
ledge on the Madison street side,
broke in a screen and entered a
blazing room. A companion fire
fighter was in a room next and came
to the window forced by smoke.
Brown saw him and saw that the
mans hesitated in making his way
along the coping to safety. The me-
GttdlllC IINH WdihNu w Nlllo NihNo"
while the crowd below held its breath.
The fireman was pulled to safety.
Overcome by Smoke.
WINNER and Murphy early were
overcome by smoke and rushed to
General hospital in Spencer's am
bu1ance. Every ambulance in town
had answered calls. Later Bonner
fell through hole in the floor of
Edwards poolroom just south of the
Sazerac building. He was taken to
i patrol station suffering from bruises
but not seriously hurt. His fall was
about nine feet
While endeavoring to get in a
window on the Second street side of
the building S. q. Nichols fell to the
sidewalk. He had an injured arm
but stuck at his post.
The four men trapped on the top
floor were all asleep at the time the
blaze broke out.
Capaisi and Folbri were In the
front room. Raggio and Gavin were
next door and all made their way
to the windows, looking down on
Second street.
Clasps for Air.
Early gatherers saw Raggio punch
a window pane out and lay his head
on the sill, gasping for air. He later
said that when he awoke a column
of smoke was pouring in his door
and that red sheet Of flame was
lt7king its way over the transon.
Chief O'Neil said later he had to
force one Of the men out Of the room
ed to put on his shoes but the chief
OunnId naTY11if him 70 Gtnn
Herbert Allyn, proprietor of the
lunchery. said he tried TO send word
to the roomers when the fire first
broke out. but that 1t was Impossible
to awaken them in time to get down
stairs before the flames had jumped
to the top floor. -. -
Allyn said he anticipated loss of
about $4,000 to the restaurant and
hotel. This was fully covered by in
suFahoe. The Sazerac building is
owned by the Messick estate. Realty
men said the building itself would
not prove a great loss. Estimates on
value Of the property ran around
$l50,000.
The fire was the most difficult to
deal with thesnew firemen have en-
countered and consensus Of opinion
was that they handled the fight in
best style What detail =, deficiency
lacking was made up by dash and
energy that was admirable speeta-
tors said. Cheers frequently broke out
at some fire fighters daring.
Firemen mounted to the roof OF the
E,aA. Guilfoyle tailoring establish
ment just east Of the Sazerac build
ing and poured streams Of water
from that point down into the seeth-
- y -
hotel Then some Of the men crawled