20 Killed, 12 Injured In Chicago Hotel Fire

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27583, 14 February 1955, Page 11

20 Killed, 12 Injured In Chicago Hotel Fire

(Rec. 11 p.m.) CHICAGO, Feb. 12. A fire raged through a crowded in slum quarters early today, Killing at least 20 men and driving about 250 others into the street in subzero temperatures. At least 12 persons were injured and taken to hospital, where doctors said •ome might die. Most of the floors of the hotel were Partitioned off into cubicles of wood, corrugated iron and wire mesh, each about five feet wide and holding a •ingle bed. Some of the victims were trapped in these, and others were killed or injured as they struggled out of them “to passageways. Scores of the homeless jammed into • Salvation Army mission nearby. ■Many had escaped in nothing but their Underwear. -Firemen had to slow their search for ponies when forced to abandon their “dders, which bent beneath the w *ifht of ice. The fire engines were *ked with ice.

PLANS OF DUKE REPORT ON VISIT TO GAMES DENIED (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 12. Australian reports that the Duke of Edinburgh had already agreed to attend the 1956 Olympics were denied by a Buckingham Palace official toThe official (aid: “Royal engagements are not made a year in advance. He was invited during the Royal visit to Australia, and indicated that he would like to attend, but cannot plan so far in advance. "He may have to make a journey somewhere with the Queen. He just cannot make up his mind until nearer the time. No-one can say yet whether he will go or not.”