Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1908 — FIRE THREATENS A PANIC [ARTICLE]

FIRE THREATENS A PANIC

Breaks Out at 4 a. m. and Hotel Guests Flee Half Clad to tbe Street. Pittsburg, Aug. 11. —Fire which started at 4 a. m. on the sixth floor of the Phipps power building at Duquesne way and Cecil alley threatened a congested part of the business district, created a panic in several hotels and required tbe services of nearly the entire city force of fire fighters. Elevators in the large structure which was threatened were kept running, and without waiting for ladders to be erected firemen were rushed on express cars to the burning offices, but for which tbe flames would soon have been beyond control. Half-clad guests of hotels who fled when they saw flames close to them were assured with difficulty it was Base to return to bed. The store of the Joseph Horne company was in danger, but was saved by firemen. Tbe loss is placed at $25,000.