Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-04
FLAMES DESTROY
v. VA. CAPITOL
One Killed, Several Hurt.
"'PriceIess Records" in
$1,25O,O0O Fire.

CHARLESTON. W. Va. January -
The capitol building of West Virginia
was destroyed by fire late yesterday.
One laborer was killed, a fireman in
jured seriously and several others
hurt when a section Of roof under
which they were standing caved in.
The spectacular nature Of the fire was
enhanced when much ammunition.
stored on the third floor of the build
ing exploded.
The fire started on the third floor
just above the senate chamber, and in
a few minutes the chamber was re-
duced to ruins. It then spread along
the corridor to some of the state Of
dces, where valuable records have
been stored dating back to the organ
ization of the commonwealth.
At pm. the roof of the Lee street
wing had fallen, and the flames had
spread with great rapidity to the CEN
ter OF the building, wiping out the
office Of Gov. Cornwell.
Fire Reaches AnmunitiOn Stores.
Firemen soon found that the point
where the blaze originated was in
accessible, and they turned their at
tention to other sections Of the big
building. In spite Of the valiant efforts
Of the firefghters the third floor,
where much ammunition was stored,
was soon ablaze.
When the heat finally reached the
ammunition the fremen were forced
to back away. for their lives were en-
dangered by exploding cartridges.
Blast after blast, mhich sent showers
OF sparks skyward, marked the
progress OF the IRE, as it burned q
path through the munitions rooms.
Soon after the fire was discovered
clerks in the numerous departments
VNr 0hAa he 80
personal property for the most part
A few bore the records Of their
branches Of the state government.
Gov. John J. Cornwen was in his Of
fee when the blaze started, but he
was one Of the last ito leave the
building. With IRE apparatus and
dremen on all sides Of the structure,
and numerous lines Of hose running
into the building. the governor final
ly emerged from the executive Of
dces. walked across the street to the
executive mansion, and from that
point watched the progress Of the
flames.
priceless Reeords~ Destroyed.
Within four hours after the IRE was
discovered the capitol building, con-
tanning the governors ONCE, state de-
was nothing but a mass Of smoking
ruins.
State officials made no attempt to
estimate the loss. but they said that
the records destroyed, upon which no
insurance was carried. could not be
replaced and that 1t was impossible
to estimate their value.
Some state records were saved by
clerks. officials and hremen. who car.
ried them from the turning building.
The capitol building. erected m 1881
at cost of more than 100000. is be-
lieved to have teen the only brick
capital in the United States. State
officials today ss.d that the property
burned was valued st approximately
$1,250.000.
State officials say that while the
senate and house chambers were de.
stroyed. they did not believe the SEES
sion Of the legislature called to con-
vene in the immediate future would
be affected. They said arrangements
would be made at once to provide for
tie senate and house and attaches,
and that new quarters would be found
at once for the state departments
made homeless by the fire.
The origin Of the fire has not been
determined.