LONGUE POINTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6886, 23 June 1890, Page 1

LONGUE POINTE.

THE BURNING OF THE ASYLUM. (Per San Francisco Mail.) [Peb Press Association.] The Longue Pointe insane asylum, near Montreal, caught- fire about 10.40 on the morning of May 6, and ab two the same afternoon was reduced to ruins. A detachment of tha Fire Brigades front Montreal did good service, but all to no purpose. The fire originated in the middle wing of the structure. Terrible scenes followed its discovery. It is said that fully two hundred and twenty patients perished in the flames, with seven of the nuns who were in attendance on the insane. No power on earth could have checked the fire. At the windows were maniacs peering through the bars, grinning and jabbering, until, enveloped by tbe flames, they wero compelled to release their hold and dropped back to an awful death. The grounds presented a scene never to be forgotten. There upon the wet grass, huddled together under cover of blankets, or wandering through the grounds with faces untouched by the horror of the time, were those of the unfortunates who had been taken from the burning building. Some lay down, with old quilts for pillows, or hummed airs which breathed a spirit of happiness. More than a thousand helpless creatures were gathered together within the enclosure, guarded by only one man. One | young girl, in the midst of the drizzling rain, sat at a piano in the grounds and played sweet music while the flames raged above her. The building cost 1,000,000d015, and was insured for 300,000d015.