Fire at the Haskell Home
By Mrs. E. H. Whitney
Doubtless many readers of the REVIEW have learned of the fire which destroyed the laundry and power-house of the Haskell Home, April 5, but a few words may be desirable to those who have not had the details of the event. The fire originated in the dynamo room a little after 1 P. M., in the explosion of a small plumber's furnace. The engineer was engaged in making some repairs, and needing to use the furnace, carefully tested and then lighted it. The lighting was quickly followed by an explosion, which set fire to his clothing and severely burned his hands. He ran to an ash heap, in which he extinguished the flames, and in spite of his burns returned to the scene to find the dynamo room filled with fire and smoke. Of two boys who were with him, and who were also slightly burned, one ran to the house to give the alarm, and the other to get a piece of hose; but the flames sprang at once to a light floor covering the room, and through that found speedy access to other parts of the building. All the available protection at hand was turned on the fire, and the city fire department responded promptly, but they were a mile away, and the road was very soft after the recent storms. The flames had filled the building when they reached it, and were devouring the roof. After the latter fell in, the fire was confined within the brick walls, and was readily controlled. The boilers were in the basement, and were not destroyed. The dynamo and engine were completely ruined. The first floor was occupied by the laundry, and as the weekly washing had been collected there, it was entirely consumed, together with the laundry fixtures. The second floor had several rooms which were used for quarantine in case of illness, and for the overflow from the house. The laundress, with four young children and two other persons, had rooms there. These escaped from the building, but had no time to save their belongings. The personal belongings of a number of the adult members of the house and a large number of fruit cans were stored there, and these were all lost. The news of a fire at the Haskell Home soon reached the city, and a crowd of the citizens collected on the grounds, but were greatly relieved to find that the main building was not affected, except by the loss of the heat and lights. The barn, farmer's cottage, and canning shed were clustered about the power-house, but there was little wind, and these escaped. The Sanitarium managers at once sent a number of men to clean out and repair the boilers, and by working most of the night we were able to heat the main building the next day. Many sympathetic offers of help to replace the lost clothing have been received from ladies of the church and the city, and a number of donations and some partly worn clothing have been received, besides valuable assistance in making garments, sheets, etc. Dr. Kellogg's house and laundry were placed freely at the disposal of the Home. The management of the Home and the family feel very grateful for the sympathy and help thus tendered, and especially for the manifestations of God's care in preventing any loss of life. The engineer is at the Sanitarium, and though he has suffered severely, he will not be permanently disabled. A temporary laundry has been fitted up in the canning shed, though its quarters are somewhat crowded. As to rebuilding, nothing can be definitely stated at present. The boilers must be roofed over, and the laundry can use its present quarters only during the warm weather. We have already been to considerable expense, for even the simplest temporary repairs. The price of labor and building materials of all kinds is several times higher than when the Home was built. It will cost at least four thousand dollars to replace the loss. Though cast down by this blow, we are not discouraged, but are seeking to know just what lessons God's providence has for us each. He who has thus far cared for his work will not desert it until it is accomplished.