Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1903 — FIFTY DEAD IN A FIRE. [ARTICLE]

FIFTY DEAD IN A FIRE.

Wing of Colney Hatch Insane Asylum in England Is Burned Down. About fifty insane patients were burned to death by a fire at the Colney Hatch asylum in England. The outbreak recurred in the Jewish wing of the institution. The flames spread with great rapidity and before they could be gut under control five wooden buildings, including dormitories and the doctors’ apartments, were wiped out. There were nearly GOO women in the burned annex at the time the fire was discovered and most of them were safely transferred to the main building, which was uninjured. Some, however, escaped, rendering it difficult to ascertain the exact number of those burned to death. All the victims were lunatics. Their charred bodies presented a horrifying spectacle. All efforts of the officials were directed to removing the insane inmates, Who became wild with excitement- and were so panic-stricken that not only were they unable to help themselves, but they greatly impeded the operations of those who were trying to save them. Since Sept. 30, 1902, 265 persons have been killed by trains and 2,613 injured. The total number of derailments and collisions was 2,458, of which 1,444 were collisions and 1,014 derailments. Lumber pliers, Duluth, Miniu, struck for |2.35 a day.