Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-02-13
FIRE STARTS In UNUSED ROOM
AT $40 A. NJ; CITY FIGHTERS
Save Boys NEARBY DORNiIT0R
Loss Is $4,000; Classes to Be Held as Usual
Today; Opera Seats and Scenery of Audi
toriun Burned Congress to Be Asked for
Appropriation to Rebuild

and similar gymnasium equipment
had been placed for storage during
the basketball season. The drill
guns, 120 army Winchesters, We're
also stored there. No ammunition
is kept at the school.
There had been childrens
party at the gymnasium Saturday
evening, but it was over at $3.50 p.
m. At that time a peculiar odor
was noticed, but it was thought to
come from the oil which had been
placed upon the floor. 1t is now
believed to have been the first
smouldering of the fire, possibly
among the wrestling mats and SIM
liar equipment.
When the fire was discovered
the flames were shooting through
the ceiling and rapidly filling the
gymnasium. When the structure
was built a brick wall was con-
structed between the gymnasium
and auditorium in order to prevent
the spread of fires. but the flames
seemed to travel through the raft
ers at the front.
By the time the city department
arrived the flames had entered the
auditorium and the walls of the
gymnasium had begun to crumble,
The walls Of the auditorium stood
well. but will have to be torn down
before a new building can be
erected.
Scenery Is Destroyed.
Within the auditorium was a
large amount of stage scenery and
a carpet for the stage. which was
destroyed. A piano was also burn
ed as were the S66 opera chairs.
The chairs were fastened to the
floor. If they had been loose they
might have been removed in time.
The lighting equipment of the audi
torium was excellent. A Balopti-
con, used for projecting pictures,
was destroyed as were the lights
and DINNERS for the stage.
The curtain which was on the
stage was unusually large. 1t made
roll sixteen inches in diameter
and was fifty-four feet long. 1t
had been painted by a st. Louis
firm. ,s.--4-..
In the gymnasium proper were
lifting machines, bars and similar
equipment. This was all destroyed.
The gymnasium had seating ca
pacity of 500 in the gallery
Some difficulty was experienced
in fighting the fire due to the linn
tied supply of water. The school
tank holds 10000 gallons. The
city truck pumped out $50
gallons a minute and two other
lines were also used. The tank was
quickly emptied, although it proved.
adequate to protect the other build
ings.
Shortly after the fire was dis
covered st. Anthony's orphanage
loaded a truck with fire extinguish-
ers and rushed them to the Indian
school to help protect other struc-
lures.
"The little. Indian boys proved
mighty good lighters" said Chief
Collister. "They helped place the
lines and stayed on the job holding
streams on the fire no matter how
cold they became"
Some of the city fighters re-
ceived severe burns on the arms
and q number Of Indian lads went
to the school hospital Sunday for
medical treatment of burned arms
Cost $25,000 to Build.
The building which was destroyed
was built at a cost of $4,000. The
brick work and plumbing were
done by tradesmen, but, the re-
mainder of the work was done by
student labor.
An attempt will be made to Sc
tContinued on Page Two.)