New Britain herald., 1930-04-05
Fire Of Spectacular Proportions Causes General Alarm-Loss
 Over S300,O00, Experts Say
HOTEL GUESTS FORGED
 TO FLEE FROM SMOKE
Fire Marshal, Near Exhaustion, Hero of Battle - Department Fights Spreading Flames From New $t1,. 100000 La Salle Building-Traffic Halted and Entire Loop Bathed In Choking Smoke.

Chicago, April (UP) - A fire ragged through an old four story building in the northwest corner of the loop today, causing between $200,0o0 and $SOO,OOO damage and attracting hundreds of theater goers.
 The fire started in the Western Radio company plant. All available flre-flghting equipment was called out to battle the blaze, which threatened to become the most spec tacular in recent Chicago history.
 Thousands gathered at the scene near dawn as flames roared from the radio company. The fire had gained rapid headway from the start. and at } a. m. had reached such proportions that general alarm was sent out over the city.
 Fire Marshal Hurt
 Fire Marshal Michael Corrigan suffered a cut under one eye when he and group of assistants were showered with broken glass. The fire, attacking a strategic center, cut off motor traffic bound for the north side. Automobiles were tied up for miles
 Bremen clambered to four stories to fight the flames, and a fire boat added its hoses. Fire fighters untiliz- cd two towers before the flames were brought under control.
 One-fourth of the whole city's fire fighting forces went out to battle the flames under the personal direction of Fire Marshal Corrigan. The fire boat Graeme Stewart steamed to the danger zone between 124 and 1g6 West Lake street; where the flames were billowing the most fiercely. All Traffic Halted | Emergency measures were put in- to operation at once. All street, ele- yated- and automobile traffic was shunted away from the danger zone.
 Down from the towering sky scrapers of Wacker drive came the heavy artillery of the Chicago fire | fighters. A systematic barrage of water, in boring 10-inch streams, was directed on the blaze. Another bombardment of water went on from the street Shattered glass rained like fragments from bom- bardcd city.
 Although he was staggering under the blows of the battle against the flames and the showers of glass Fire Marshal Corrigan refused to give up the fight. He was urged time and again to go to a hospital and have his wounds dressed, but he refused.
 AS long as my men stick it out. I will,' he said.
 Fifteen of Marshal Corrigan's men were trapped temporarily by the flames. The surer-structure of fire reared itself be ,'een the caves of the building, an{ NO, horizon. But Chicagos Ere. were up to the task of thes .clt. They raced across the seve.is hundred feet sep arating them from the flaming structure that held their chief.
 Rescue Trapped Men
 They rushed up the ladders that led to the fiery stronghold he held. Down the ladders to safety they bore him. as they bore the others trapped in upper stories of the ill., fated structure.
 Chief Corrigan estimated actual damage at more than s300.000. He said that the excellent work of his men had prevented additional dam age of at least s200000, or hali million dollars in all.
 Guests Leave Hotels
 Guests at the Sherman. Astor and other Loop hotels were driven to the l (Continued on Page Two)