GREAT FIRE IN CHICAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22326, 28 July 1934, Page 17

GREAT FIRE IN CHICAGO

THREE FIREMEN LOSE LIVES TELEPHONE GIRLS’ HEROISM. Hundreds of workmen were working night and day to repair the extensive damage caused by fire- which devastated the Chicago Union stockyards. The huge blaze created considerable consternation in the city, and it is estimated that wrecked buildings and lost stock involve a ■ loss >of nearly £2,000,000. Three firemen lost their lives, 1500 people were injured, and 2000 rendered homeless. ■ t -

Although many other theories were advanced, it is believed that the careless tossing of a lighted, cigarette into a hay barn was the cause of the' outbreak. Starting from the hay barn, the .blaze was quickly fanned oyer a square mile. During lulls in the roaring of the flames, the bellowing of terrified cattle could be heard as they , were hemmed in by flames. Ammonia tanks and oil reservoirs.exploded and shot into the air with , a mighty roar. Girl telephone operators at the Stockyard Exchange displayed great heroism. They stuck to their posts until the last possible moment, working frantically as long ns any lines were functioning. They fled only when tongues of flames were already licking the switchboards, rendering the cables useless.. Fire engine's were rushed to the scene of the fire from as far away as 50 miles. Dynamite was used to blow up the buildings in the path of the firo so as to stem the sweep of the flames.