FATE OF THE LUNATICS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12177, 29 January 1903, Page 5

FATE OF THE LUNATICS.

Uniied. Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright. London, January 28. There were 330 pauper cripples, 100 j being quite bedridden, occupying, the j wooden annexe "at Colney Hatch Asy- ! hixa, containing five wards, which are connected with the main building" by a corridor which the firemen 'demolished, thus confining the conflagration to the annexe. . * A nurse first discovered the fire in a storeroom. The flames spread with groat .rapidity, despite the efforts of the Asylum firemen, who were soon aided by 35 London engines and 200 firemen. The nurses and attendants at the Asylum made gallant efforts, and succeeded in rescuing 180 inmates. Dr Seward, medical superintendent/ personally saved scores of patients. The worst fatalities occurred in Ward- No; 5, where the suicidal- patients were housed, 35 out of 70 perishing. Sixteen perished in No., 4 Ward. • Some of * the ', \pa^ents were v quite calm, while others were gleeful. Some became so frenzied that they fought their rescuers, and others hid under the beds. One patient bit a nurse s luiger oil. No nurses were killed, though seVeral were injured.