Trapped in Flames

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 954, 23 April 1930, Page 11

Trapped in Flames

OVER 300 PRISONERS PERISH

Gaol a Roaring Furnace

BATTLEFIELD SCENE IN COURTYARD

United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright

Received 9.5 a.m. NEW YORK, Tuesday. THE fire which yesterday swept through a section of the Ohio State Prison at Columbus killed 319 men, and injured 150 so seriously that many are expected to die. Over 100 others are suffering minor hurts. The institution, which is antiquated and, in the words of the National Society of Penal Information, “suffer from a condition of overcrowding worse than that of any other prison,” has accommodations for 1,500 convicts and was housing 4,300.

The building comprised 20 blocks o£ cells. The fire broke out in the old part on the west side. The flames, fanned by a westerly gale, were borne toward the newer dormitories in the eastern block, where they spread with awful rapidity. Almost before a general alarm could be raised the entire prison was on fire. One hundred prisoners were burned to death as they lay trapped in the oldest dormitory. Five hundred others were immediately liberated from the building and ran into the prison yard. There they were huddled together and many were suffocated by the dense smoke. A block cell containing 835 prisoners was consumed, and it was from the upper tiers cells in this block that few or none of the inmates escaped alive. Scenes of confusion continued as darkness approached. Then soldiers arrived on the scene to guard the prisoners who had been drafted into the yard from the burning section. Heavy guards also were placed at the gates, lest any of the prisoners should make a break for liberty or be driven insane. YARD LIKE BATTLEFIELD The yard looked like a battlefield with the heavily-armed guards in all directions. No attempts to escape were made by the prisoners, many ot whom assisted to man the available fire apparatus. The warden had 700 prisoners removed from their cells when the fire was sweeping toward them. Great crowds of spectators gathered outside the walls. The trapped men were heard screaming in the flames. Late last night the fire was believed to be under control. The majority of the victims apparently died from suffocation.

Policemen, firemen, and State and Federal troopers worked hard with the aid of the warders and prisoners

to rescue the victims. Doctors also worked valiantly amid scenes of utter confusion. INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED The original fire and subsequent outbreaks are now attributed to attempts by certain prisoners to escape. It is reported that they threatened to cut the firemen’s hose. A force of 1,500 troops surrounded the prisoners in the yard. The quick A>read of the flames, the slowness and fear of the guards to throw open the doors, and the confusion which hampered the fire-fight-ing apparatus from being utilised, are all held to be responsible for the large loss of life. It is noted that one group of prisoners known as “Company K,” and comprising murderers and incorrigibles, distinguished themselves in rescue work, virtually snatching their fellows from the flames. It was a night of fearful confusion, but only one convict escaped, thousands of police and soldiers from the city having surrounded the prison for hours. During the night details of the fire were broadcast by radio from the prison chapel. APPEAL FOR ORDER Many who, early in the evening, had aided in the rescue work, became excited and were difficult to control. However, at latest reports, it was believed that all the prisoners would soon be herded into the dining hall. Major-General Huff, who was in charge of the troops, ordered all women and nurses from the prison. The chief of the fire brigade appealed to the better element of the prisoners to aid in maintaining order. It is now asserted that fires started in several different places and swept swiftly through the buildings. In one block of cells a group of prisoners screamed for help. The warden discovered that .the keys had been lost aijd the doors were broken down with a sledge hammer.