Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1901 — SEVEN MEN DIE IN DENSE SMOKE [ARTICLE]

SEVEN MEN DIE IN DENSE SMOKE

Lodging House Fire in Minneapolis ' -v Causes Death of Inmates. Eight men died from suffocation in a fire which broke out in the Harvard lodging house in Minneapolis. Several are in a critical condition from burns and injuries received in a panic which ensuedupon' tiifUtliscovery of the blaze. The fire had its origin in the rear of the Standard furniture store on the ground floor and at first it appeared to be insignificant. The alarm was sounded by Charles Hanson, a lodger, who* on going to his room was confronted by a dense volume of smoke. He was on the second floor and he imediately gave the warning to George O’Connor, the day clerk. O’Connor recognizing the danger, proceeded to kick in the doors on the second floor, which is the main floor of the hotel. He continued up to the third floor and managed to arouse several of the men, but was finally beaten back by the heavy rush of smoke and had to run out to avoid suffocation. The flames appeared in the rear and did not burst forth at the front,, though the smoke poured from the windows in volumes. As soon as the firemen arrived it was recognized that the building was a veritable .trap. Ladders were run up at the front and the firemeu rushed up. Before any of them could make their way into the building the lodgers were breaking-the windows and holding their heads out in a vain attempt to secure fresh air. Pitiful ■ cries for help were made by many. This scene did not last long, for the battle of the men for life was in vain. The smoke rushed out ou them and they succumbed and fell back unconscious. All of the dead and unconscious men were found in the front rooms of the second and third floors.