DISASTROUS FIRE IN AMERICA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2133, 6 March 1908, Page 2

DISASTROUS FIRE IN AMERICA.

LARGE SCHOOL ABLAZE. CHILDREN ROASTED ALIVE. THEAIENDOUiS DEATH-ROLL. (Received Alarch 5, 9.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, Alarch 5. The Lake View Common (school, Cleveland, Ohio, attended by 360 children, ranging from five to fourteen years, lias been burned. 'The fire commenced in the basement of a sixteen-storied building, during morning school. Smoke quickly filled- the building and created a panic, all classes becoming distressed simultaneously. The children from the upper floors rushed pell-mell down stairs, only- to find the lower corridors already choked with the children from the lower class-rooms, who were all pushing and struggling for their lives. Aliss Aloran, principal of the girls’ school, who escaped, says that the children made a mad rush for tho doors and windows, and it was impossible to keep them in check, although they had been taught how to act in the event of fire.

There were only two exits, and the back one was blocked, and the other doorway soon became blocked with falling children, who were trampled on by those behind.

FRANTIC PARENTS ON THE SCENE.

CHILDREN JUMP FROAI THE WINDOWS.

United Press Association—Copyricht

(Received March 5, 11.55 p.m.)

Two children in trying to retraco their steps encountered the flames, which destroyed the class-rooms.

A few minutes later the lower floor collapsed, precipitating scores of children into the basement.

The teachers struggled bravely, but were helpless, and nine of them were hurt.

Hundreds of frantic parents assembled, and the workmen from factories came to assist.

A man, in trying to drag his daughter from a pile of children wedged in the doorway, pulled her arms out of the sockets.

Several children jumping from the third storey were instantly 'killed. Others were caught in the arms of the spectators, although they were badly hurt. A number wee rescued through the windows at the back of the budding, and the fire escapes rescued some from the upper windows, but the flames sweeping up the staircase soon enveloped the building beyond control.

The firemen played the hose on the children piled rp in the front of the doorway, trying to extricate a few, but even this was soon impossible from the fearful stench of burning flesh.

The police us-d force to keep the distracted parer's back.

CHILDREN HOPELESSLY ENTRAPPED.

WRITHING IN HEAPS.

152 BODIES RECOVERED

(Received A arch 6, 1.6 a.m.) Most of the dead came from the first and second floors.

A number on the third floor escaped. When the flours collapsed the men sav that the children were writhng in heaps in the basement, and until the roof fell in the fire raged for two hours.

When the ruirs were explored many barred bodies were discovered, and limbs and skulls were detached at the lightest touch. Many were only dentified by tlic : r pocket trinkets. Most of the school was old and badly constructed, and when the front ,-xit was blocked the children were hopelessly entrapped. One hundred and fifty-two bodies '.ave been recovered, and it is feared bat many more have perished. An overheated furnace caused the fire.

The firemen’s ladders only reached o the third sto ey.

M’hen the fire alarm sounded, the hildren laughed, thinking It was a alse alarm, and the teachers directed hem to sit quietly, but directly tho moke appeared the children stampeded, and found the stairs leading o the hall packed like sardines with •hildren. lying on top of each other, ■lid a few escaped bv running over hem.

A merchant named Upton saved 18 •hildren.