CONVICTS FIRE PRISON

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1929, Page 6

CONVICTS FIRE PRISON

BATTLE WITH GUARDS. l United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, July 28. Auburn State Prison one of the largest, in the State, was virtually destroyed by fire to-night, as the result of an extraordinary attempt at wholesale escape by 1,700 men and women prisoners. A few guards, aided by volunteers, exhibited great courage and resourcefulness,' under leadership of Warder Jennings, in! holding back a mob of convicts, with machine guns from the wglls ; .which the prisoners were unable to cross despite the possession of the prison’s store of ammunition, gas bombs and 'firearms. ' •

The... plot y;as, apparently perfectly timed, and matured, and for ten hour's the situation was desperate; after which Jennings imported that control had been regained' with ten convicts missing. One was killed and eleven injured; also four guards were injured by* bullets and gas. Four firemen are suffering from burns, and suffocation. The attempted break occurred during the Sunday morning period when the convicts were in the yard. Two oveipowered a guard and obtained the keys to the ammunition stores, after which others fired the buildings, and hours of difficult tasks for the guards ensued.