TERRIBLE CALAMITY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2781, 10 May 1890, Page 2

TERRIBLE CALAMITY.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) Montreal, May 7. A tebrible calamity has occurred through the burning of a lunatic asylum at Longue Point. No less than 150 unfortunate in-

mates perished in the flames. There were 1200 patients in the asylum. Hundreds were paralysed by the fire and resisted the attempts to rescue them. A number of firemen were injured. The victims of the Longue Point tire were principally females confined in the wing set apart for violent patients, and they were slowly roasted to death. Seven nuns were among those who lost their lives. Two remarkable incidents are mentioned in connection with the tire, one patient having recovered the power of speech, while another recovered his reason. The fire was caused by a lunatic firing the cupboard, and owing to the lack of water and appliances for giving the alarm, the flames spread with great rapidity. Later. The loss of life at tha fire at the Lunatic Asylum at Longue Point, is not so serious as at first reported, and it is now estimated that 40 perished. During the confusion attendant on the fire some 250 of the inmates escaped into the woods, and are still uncaptured. One horrible feature of the calamity was that a number of female patients were outraged by roughs. The damage is estimated at a million dollars.