Terrible Scene at a Fire.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 4, 16 June 1887, Page 3

Terrible Scene at a Fire.

The Richmond Hotel at Buffalo, United States, has been totally destroyed by fire. When the flames were observed at an early hour on the iBth March it was soon ascertain that they proceeded from the cloak room which was on the first floor of the building, The shaft of the elevator acted as a flue, and within a few minutes every floor of the pile was on fire. An electric alarm bell had been fitted on each floor, and this being put into action speedily awakened the large number of people who were sleeping in the hotel. They rushed to the windows, from which some leaped in desperation, while others managed to escape by walking along the parapets to the adjoining houses. The accounts of some of the escapes almost exceed belief. It is stated that one person despairing of the possibility of getting out of the house, returned to his bed prepared to die, but was rescued by a fireman, who gallantly brought him forth from the flames. Another hung from a window-sill for four minutes while the flames were scorching his hands, and was then fetched down by means of a ladder. A third went hand over hand along the telegraph wire to an adjoining

house; but when three others attempted to follow him the wire broke, and they were precipitated to the ground and seriously injured. The house contained 125 inmates altogether, of whom 75 were guests staying in the hotel. Amid a scene of frightful confusiou they rushed into the streets in their night clothes, but many were too late to escape unscathed. Six persons perished in the flames, and about 25 were injured some being severely burned, while others were hurt in other ways. Some of the latter have sustained very dangerous injuries. The St. James’ Hall, which was also destroyed, was a place of amusement.