THE ASYLUM FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 15 May 1890, Page 16

THE ASYLUM FIRES.

(Pur Press Association.)

Montreal, May 7.

The loss o£ life by the fire at the lunatic asylum at Tongue Point is not so serious as was at first reported, and it is now estimated that 40 perished.

The victims of the Tongue Point fire were principally females, who were confined in a 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 fire, one patient having recovered the power of speech, while another recovered his reason. The fire was caused by a.Junatic firing a cupboard, and owing to the lack of water and appliances for giving the alarm the flames spread with great rapidity.

. , Mayß. During the confusion attendant on the fire some 250 of the lunatics escaped into the woods, and are still uncaptured. One horrible feature of the calamity was that a number of the female patients were outraged by roughs. The damage is estimated at 1.000.000d01.

Washington, May 9. The lunatic asylum at Chenango has been burnt down and 25 patients lost their lives.

May 11. Many violent lunatics escaped at Chenango and created terror in the country. The settlers shot one, and bound others to trees.

Fifteen patients were burned in the fixe at Chenango Asylum.