Terrible Fire in America.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 471, 14 May 1890, Page 6

Terrible Fire in America.

The worst fears have, says a New Fork telegram to Reuter, been realised respecting the loss of life which occurred at the bookstore at Indianapolis. The charred bodies of ten firemen have been recovered from the ruin, and it is believed that others still remain buried in the debris. Moreover, fifteen members of the brigade have been rescued in an injured condition. The explanation for the serious character of the disaster is to be found in the fact that when the accident occurred it was believed that the fire had been brought fully under control, and that no further danger existed. The people who had gathered round the burning building were dispersing, and ladders had been raised against the walls in order that the firemen might concentrate their efforts on the smouldering ruins. The men were swarming up the ladders, when suddenly there was a terrific crash, and the entire structure, with the exception of the front wall, collapsed. The unfortunate men were hurled en masse into the midst of the wreck of the house. Without a moment’s delay rescue parties were organised, and, as above stated, fifteen of the men were brought out alive, but the work was most difficult and dangerous. Some of them were held fast between rafters and beams, and one unhappy man was rescued after an hour’s arduous toil, alive but in a state of delirium. A later telegram to Reuter 3ays :—The last reports from Indianapolis say that as many as thirteen firemen were killed and nineteen injured, many of them fatally. All of them were the oldest and most experienced members of the brigade, and all were married. Heartrending scenes have occurred in the homes of the dead and injured men, and in the hospitals to which some were conveyed. It is feared that even now the death-roll is not complete. The house which was destroyed was the largest bookselling concern in the West. Some reports are in circulation that the men were ordered to take up a dangerous post without actual necessity. The pecuniary loss is estimated at £25,000. Dalziel says A story of heroism is being repeated of one of the men who died, He and a comrade were buried beneath the same heavy rafters, and he possibly could have been extricated alive, had he not directed attention to his friend, saying ‘Jem’s got more to support than I, get him out first.’ While they were removing * Jem* the other poor fellow expired. I