New Britain herald., 1930-03-11
HOTEL FIRE EXITS
 REPORTED BLOCKED
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ed knotted rope out of the "iluo" and began his descent. me lop7 daneled about six feet from tLe ground, Whether the man was uh- sh,e 10 support his own weight or came to d part of the rope where there was no knot to be gripped' was not determined, but both theorieS were being considered last night Tho rone was taken by Inspector Rutherford and held for court de- yelopments.
 May Condemn Part of Block
 Having informed the prosecuting attorney of the claimed Vlolauoh' Rutherford set out to examine the present condition of the building with a view to possible condemna- tion of the upper story. He will also extend his inquiry into the stanley building, other property of the Schu- pack interests, adjoining the Central hotel on the north, he announced. Injured and Overcome By Fumes
 One fireman, Capt. William II. Porter, commanding Engine Co. ?, was injured when he fell through a hole in the floor, suffering a painful injury in his side. and second man, Frank Keougl1, ladderman at Sta ton 2, was overcome by ammonia and smoke fumes.
 Capt. Porter was taken to his home and was examined later by pr. Arthur J. Savard, fire department surgeon, who suggested his removal to the New Britain General hospital where he is resting comfortably. Further examination will be made 10 determine whether he has fracture of tho rib.
 The condition of Keough, who is a substitute fireman, is not considered serious, but It is expected that he will be required to remain at the hospital for several days. He is also being treated by Dr. Savard.
 William Murphy. 8. boarder at the hotel, suffered a deep cut over his eye and was taken to the office Of pr. David P. Waskowitz. who treat ed the injury. No stitches were taken.
 Davis Comes Out Gasping
 Capt. Victor Davis, in charge of the aerial ladder company at head quarters, narrowly escaped serious illness from the ammonia fumes when he cut a hole through the floor to ventilate the cellar. He came out of the store gasping for fresh air, but was soon revived without the aid of a physician.
 Chief William J. Noble was on duty today with painful injury to his ankle suffered when he wrenched his foot while walking over the railroad tracks
 Most of the fremen were ren- dered temporarily i'll from the heavy smoke which poured from the build ing in volumes. Men relaying at the hose tips, some of whom came out very evidently weakened, gave rise to the belief that many were ; being overcome, but such was not 7 the fact. a check-up today disclosed. Discovered By Policemen
 The fire was discovered about 6;45 o'clock by Patrolmen George Collins and Otis Hopkins, who were pa trolling Main street. Smoke was pouring out of the door and windows of the V. and P. market on the ground floor and had already filled the hallway and stairs leading to the upper floors of the hotel
 While Hopkins ran 10 turn in an alarm Collins attempted to force his way through the hallway to the second floor to warn the inmates but was driven back by thick clouds of smoke.
 In the meantime Mrs. Mccarthy, in her sitting room above, noticed smoke begin to fill the corridors and started an investigation, thinking some one had thrown a lighted match into a waste basket. As the smoke grew heavier she and many of her boarders who were on the second floor escaped by means of a rear stairway leading to an open court yard and thence by a drive way onto Myrtle street
 Men Trapped on Third Floor
 There are 55 rooms on the two upper floors, all of them rented and many occupied at the time of the fire. Exit from the front stairs was cut off almost simultaneously with the discovery of the fire Added to this hazard was the discovery that the rear exit from the third floor was padlocked. Men residing on the top floor were trapped.
 The first alarm at GAS and the second alarm at 7:3S brought out every piece of fire fighting appara- Jus in the city, except Engine Co. No. 7, which moved to headquarters 10 cover the center of the city. All off shift fremen and practically every supernumerary policeman in the city was called out
 At one time there were l30 fire men and approximately 30 police men doing duty at the fire.
 Brought Down Ladders Two ladder companies speedily jdh tHe!f extension ladders tO the third floor windows and those Of the inmates who were trapped in the smoke filed rooms were led or car ried down ladders. Three men huddled at one window on the top floor were noticed first by Mayor Angelo NJ. Paonessa, who called at tention Of the flremen 10 their plight A ladder was placed against this window and frcmeu rescued them.
 For some time it vas feared others were trapped in the rooms and were unable 10 get out. but a search Of the building by frcmcn proved this belief to be crroncous.
 First Day At Work, Killed
 Johnson, attempted to escape from rear room by means of a knotted roDe DlgCad thrrr aa an