GAOL HOLOCAUST

Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 1930, Page 9

GAOL HOLOCAUST

KNOWN BEAD NUMBER 319 MANY OTHERS LIKELY TO DIE / OVERCROWDING OF PRISON FIRE’S INCENDIARY ORIGIN By Telegraph—Press Assn —Copyright. New York, April 22. A report from Columbus states that the known dead in the prison lire now total 319, and that 150 are so seriously burned that many are expected to die. One hundred others are suffering minor injuries. The institution, which wa*S antiquated, or, in tho words of the National Society of Penal Information, “suffers from a condition of overcrowding worse than that in any other prison,” has accommodation for 1500 convicts, and was housing 4309. A block of cells containing 834 prisoners was consumed, and it was from the upper tiers of cells in this block that few or none of the inmates escaped alive. The incendiary origin of the blaze is believed to have been determined, while the quick spread of the flames, the slowness and fear of the guards to throw open the doors, and the confusion which hampered the fire-fighting apparatus from being utilised, are all held responsible for the large loss of life.

It was noted that one group of prisoners known as “Company K,” all murderers and incorrigibles, distinguished themselves in the rescue work, virtually snatching their fellows from the flames. It was a night of fearful confusion, but only one convict escaped, thousands of police and soldiers from the city having surrounded the prison’ for hours during the 'flight. Details of the fire were broadcast by radio from the prison chapel.