TERRIBLE SCENE AT A FIRE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1566, 24 May 1887, Page 2

TERRIBLE SCENE AT A FIRE

The Rlobmond Hotel at Buffalo, United States, has been totally destroyed by fire. When tbo flames were obßerved at an early hour on Mar oh 10 it was soon ascertained that they prooeeded from the cloak room, which was on the first floor of the building. The Bhaft of the elevator acted bb a flue, and within a few minutes every floor of the pile waa on fire. An electric alaim had been fitted on each floor, and this being put into action speedily awakened the large number of people who were sleeping m the hotel. They rushed to the windows, from which some leaped m desperation, while others managed to escape by walking the parapets to the adjoining houee3. The accounts of Borne of the escapes almost exceed belief. Jt is stated that one person, despairing of the possibility of getting out of the house, returned to his bed prepared to die, but was rescued by a fireman, who gallantly brought him forth from the flames. Another hung from a windowsill for four minutes while the flames were scorching his hands, and was then fetched down by means of a ladder. A third went hand over hand along the telegraph wire to adjoining house ; but when three others attempted to follow him the wire broke, and. they were precipitated to the ground and aerioualy injured. The house contained 125 inmateß altogether, of whom 75 were guests Btaying m the hotel, Amid a Bcene of frightful confusion they rushed into the streets In their night clothes, but many were too late to eEcape unsoathed, * Six persons perished m the flame?, and about 25 were injured, some being severely burned, while others were hurt m other ways, Some of the latter have sustained rery dangerous icjuriea. The St James' Hall, which was also destroyed, was a place of amusement.