#prison fire

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“Five Lives Lost In Penetang Hospital Fire,” Owen Sound Sun Times. November 2, 1931. Page 1. ---- FIRE DESTROYS ONE OF COTTAGES OF ONTARIO HOSPITAL AT PENETANG AT EARLY HOUR MONDAY MORNING ---  Resistance of 42 Patients Housed in Cottage Greatly Handicapped Rescuers — Patients Were of Chronic Type --- TO BE TAKEN TO ORILLIA ---- Plans Were Being Made to Have Cottage Completely Overhauled— Minister of Health Issues Statement ---- (Canadian Press Despatch) PENETANG, Ont. Nov. 2 — Five patients of the Ontario Hospital are now dead as the result of the fire which destroyed cottage “A” housing patients of a chronic mental type here this morning.

 The dead are: W. C. Simmons of Bracebridge, Ont.; John Downey of Toronto; Xavier Lafaive of Lesado Corners, Ont.; Allen McKinnon and John Robertson of Oshawa, Ont. Robertson died in hospital some time after being taken from the burning building. 

Four patients are in hospital in a serious condition, 

The work of rescuers was hampered by the patients many of whom in a serious mental condition resisted all efforts to save them. 

An inquest was opened this morning and adjourned for two weeks.  Announcement of the fire was made this morning at the Ontario Parliament building by Hon. J. M. Robb, Minister of Health. 

Mr Robb's statement follows: 

“A fire broke out this morning at the Ontario Hospital, Penetanguishene, In what Is known as collage “A" a two-storey building housing forty-two patients of a chronic type. Four lives were reported lost.

“Unfortunately a number of patients resisted removal this greatly hampering the work of rescuers. 

“The buildings at the Hospital consist of a main building originally a reformatory for boys and two cottages known as "A" and "B Cottage “B" was overhauled same years ago and plans had been completed to overhaul cottage “A" almost Immediately and to add substantially to the building. 

“Little Is known as to the origin of the fire except that it started In the ceiling. It was discovered by members of the night staff on duty and immediate steps were taken to cope with the situation. The institution fire brigade who received prompt assistance from the town fire brigade prevented spreading of the flames to the rest of the buildings. The water pressure was good and supply plentiful. 

“Patients from the destroyed part will be accommodated in a new cottage just completed by the Ontario Hospital Orillia. A supply of clothing has already been dispatched by motor from the Parliament Buildings for the use of the patients who are being taken care of for the day in another building. 

“The Superintendent is Dr. Geo C. Kidd. 

“The injured patients were Sidney Hamlin, Sioux Lookout, Ont.; William Bowler, Mardale, Ont.; Hector Millsop, Creemore, Ont, and John Cox of Hamilon, Ont.

“All the dead and injured were housed in the lower dormitory of the building. Attendants succeeded in rescuing the patients in the upper dormitory although many of them resisted the efforts,”

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“Asylum Inmates Escape Flames,” Border Cities Star. December 15, 1930. Page 7.  ---- 2.000 ARE MARCHED OUT OF BUILDING ---- $700.000 Damage Is Done To Catholic Building At Beaufort, Que. ---- QUEBEC. Dec. 15. - Twenty minutes after fire broke out in the east wing of St. Michael Archangel asylum for the insane Saturday night 1500 inmates had been removed to safety. The fire destroyed the entire wing of the institution with a loss estimated at $700,000. 

The asylum, built in 1864. is located at Beaufort, a suburb. The east wing housed the male patients, comprising half the entire occupants of the institution.

The blaze was discovered by a watchman at 6:15. Immediately it became known that the building, with its 2,000 inmates, was endangered by fire, the entire Quebec fire department was rushed to the suburb, while hundreds of citizens organized volunteer rescue squads. But so carefully had the grey nuns, who operate the asylum, organized their fire drills, that at 20 minutes every patient was in a place of safety and the firemen were enabled to concentrate their entire efforts upon saving the building. 

The fire gained great headway and at midnight was still raging, with firemen devoting their efforts to protect the central building and the west wing. The central building was damaged slightly by smoke and water, but the west wing was saved Intact.

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"Prisoners Rioted And Started Fire In Penitentiary," Kingston Whig-Standard. March 22, 1935. Page 1 & 2. ---- O'clock on Thursday Revolt Broke Out About Five O'clock on Thursday Afternoon - Fire Department Called ---- 50 DEFIED AUTHORITY ---- Considerable Damage Done in Two Shops - Warden Allen Was Away at Time of Riot. ---- Brigadier-General D. M. Ormond, federal inspector of penitentiaries, opened an investigation here today into the fourth major disturbance to unsettle Kingston Penitentiary in two years and a half - twin fires that caused heavy damage to two prison workshops last night.

The inspector hurried here from Ottawa on instructions of Minister of Justice Hugh Guthrie. It was believed he would interview prisoners and guards to determine the leaders in a sudden revolt by a body of 50 convicts and those directly responsible for setting fire to the boot and mail-bag shops.

Damage in the simultaneous fires that broke out about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon was described as heavy by Fire Chief James Armstrong of this city. He said both shops were "gutted" by the flames and flooded with water poured into them by fire department hose.

The revolt itself centered in the boot and clothing department, a section of the industrial building where convicts are employed. About 50, it was said, locked themselves in the big room where flames had started and refused to leave.

Guards battered down the door to gain entrance and then were forced to struggle with the prisoners who turned a hose on them. In a grim struggle that followed, the guards were successful, the half-hundred convicts being taken to their cells. No one was injured, it was reported.

The incident was the first protest against authority in the Lake Ontario prison since May, 1934. when fire in the change room caused damage estimated at from $30,000 to $40,000. That was three months after Mr. Guthrie announced in the House of Commons that several serious situations had arisen in the prison. The revolt yesterday was the first serious challenge to the authority of Warden R. M. Allen since he assumed control of the prison and it broke out while Warden Allen was in Ottawa, called there for consultation into the Department of Justice.

Previous Disturbances The first major disturbance at Kingston Penitentiary occurred in October, 1932, when 900 convicts rioted, barricading themselves in the tailor shop and threatening to burn themselves to death. Troops entered the penitentiary that time and the revolt was terminated momentarily when they left.

But rebellion flared again, and more violently, three days later. Machine-gun and rifle fire was used in an effort to stop the rioting among 200 defiant men who smashed furniture and caused heavy damage to property. Troops were called and finally tear gas brought quiet.

The institution had been without disturbance for many months when yesterday's fires started. Residents living near the prison said there had been no signs of revolt such as the yammering and howling that preceded previous outbreaks..

A report that firing had been heard from within the prison walls about the time the fires were reported yesterday could not be confirmed. No one in the neighborhood had heard shots. Penitentiary officials refused to give out information of any kind.

The fires in the two departments were well under way when one-half of Kingston's fire brigade rushed to the scene. The other half was at Sydenham, 18 miles north of here, fighting a blaze that caused heavy damage to several buildings. Deputy Fire Chief Fred Reid was in charge of the prison group. Later Fire Chief James Armstrong made an inspection and announced damage to the shoe and mail-bag shops was considerable. The interiors were virtually destroyed, he said, but the mail-bag building itself suffered little.

Perfectly Quiet Today The prison was perfectly quiet to-day although it was Impossible to find out whether the prisoners were back at work or were confined to their cells. By eight o'clock last evening quiet had been restored, the fire had been put out and the guards who were placed on roads approaching the prison to keep spectators, back had been withdrawn. A great many Kingstonians flocked out toward the penitentiary when word spread that a fire and riot were in progress, but none were allowed to approach within hundreds of yards of the building. Heavy smoke could be seen all over the western end of the city during the course of the fire, but no flames broke from any of the buildings.

Deputy Warden George Sullivan was in charge of the penitentiary when the disturbance occurred and he directed the operations against the rioting prisoners and also directed the prison staff in fighting the fire. The apparatus of the Kingston fire brigade was carefully inspected by the penitentiary staff when it left the prison after the fire to make sure that no prisoners had hidden themselves on the trucks.

No official statement could be obtained as to the details of the riot, but one story current today was that one prisoner was found to be missing when the guards lined up the prisoners in one shop to return therm to their coils just before five o'clock. A search was made for this prisoner and while it went on the other prisoners are said to have broken from their line and closed and barricaded the shop doors, keeping their instructors in with them. Rumor has it that one of the instructors was blindfolded and that all of them were jostled about during the time they were held as hostages. Fire was raging in the building đuring the whole time that the prisoners defied authority.

Fire Chief's Remarks Fire Chief James Armstrong questioned by The Whig-Standard this morning regarding the department;s part in the fire at the Kingston Penitentiary on Thursday night stated that 2,000 feet of house were used by the firemen, three lines being laid and five nossles worked from them. In addition to these lines three were run by the Penitentiary staff from their own hydrants.

The big pumper of the fire department was stationed on the Penitentiary wharf and pumped steadily for two hours and forty-five minutes The smoke was very heavy, the chief said. The fire department was in charge of Assistant Chief Reid to whom Chief Armstrong gave great credit.

The chief would not discuss other details in connection with the fire at the penitentiary beyond the information given above.

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Official Story Of Prison Riot Told by Guthrie OTTAWA, March 22-(OP)-Three prisoners received slight injuries and damages will exceed $2000 as result of the fire and riot yesterday at Kingston Penitentiary, Minister of Justice Hugh Guthrie announced to-day in the House of Commons.

An investigation opened at Kingston today, the minister said. The shops were not open this morning but were this afternoon.

The minister said the disturbance broke out just as the shops closed yesterday afternoon at five o'clock. It occurred in the west block, shop, which houses the tailor and shoe departments.

Three Guards Seized There were about 70 men in the riot, according to Mr. Guthrie. Three guards were seized, their pockets searched for matches, lighters and keys. The main door was closed and the guards taken to the basement, where they were tied hands and legs.

Fourteen prisoners barricaded the basement door and others rushed up-stairs to an unused shop. With the matches taken from the guards a fire was set in the shoe shop. Damage of $2,000 was done to machinery but it was impossible to estimate the fire damage.

The Guards broke down the basement door and by 6:30 the riot was over, the men back in their cells. Kingston fire department had the fire out by eight o'clock.

Of the injured prisoners, one had a cut lip, another an eye cut and the third a cut finger. Mr. Guthrie said they were injured by fellow-prisoners.

It was estimated, Mr. Guthrie said, 30 or 35 men were in the riot, the others were there reluctantly.

The warden who was in Ottawa when the riot started, opened the investigation at Kingston.

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"ONTARIO REFORMATORY BARNS ARE GUTTED BY FIRE," Toronto Star. August 3, 1934. Page 14. ---- Fire breaking out at the Ontario reformatory brick and tile plant in Etobicoke township to-day destroyed three barns and badly damaged the milk-house。 The live stock, which had been tied in the stalls for the morning milking, was rushed to safety by Guard Alfred Pearce, assisted by 15 inmates of the institution. Prompt response to the alarm by Mimico and New Toronto fire brigades prevented the further spread of the flames, but the dry hay which filled the lofts burned too fiercely to be checked with the limited water supply available. The blazing cow stable, where the fire was discovered in the loft, is shown above in (1). The horse stable (2) was a complete loss.

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"BLAME FARM BUILDINGS LOSS ON SMALL MAINS AT PRISON," Toronto Star. August 3, 1934. Page 14. ---- Government Ignored Advice of Chief to Put in Larger Ones ---- LIVESTOCK SAVED ---- Had recommendations been carried out as urged by Mimico and New Toronto fire chiefs, who advised a larger watermain at the Ontario Reformatory brick and tile plant, two of the three farm buildings gutted by fire early to-day could have been saved, firemen stated.

The fire was discovered shortly after 5 a.m. by Guard Alfred G. Pearce, who, with the assistance of 15 inmates, got all the stock, harness and implements out of the blazing building as the roaring fire, which began in a haymow, was fanned by a breeze from the northwest and began to eat away the timbers.

The entire spring crop from the institution farm, which packed the lofts to the eaves, was destroyed, the cattle barn, where the fire started. and the horse stables, were burned to the ground, and only a thin shell of the piggery left standing.

Livestock Taken Out The shouts of Guard Pearce when he discovered the fire aroused A. E. Springstead, cattle man, who telephoned the alarm which brought the Mimico and New Toronto brigades, In less than five minutes, through the prompt action of the inmates on the milking and stable gangs, all the livestock was taken out of the burning building.

While the rescue work was going on, other members of the institution staff under W. Farrell, attempted to fight the rapidly-spreading flames, using a line of hose, two chemical machines and 20 hand fire extinguishers.

The Mimico fire brigade, closely followed by New Toronto, was the first to arrive and connect up the hose, but due to the small water main the pump could only feed one line up to 80 pounds pressure, which hampered the work.

Water Was Scarce The New Toronto fire-fighters were also hampered by the lack of water and could not use their pump with any degree of efficiency. The origin of the fire is unknown and the damage, which will be high, is as yet unestimated.

"Every man of the 15 Inmates working with me did his bit and worked hard. No one could have done any more than they did. The livestock was out in less than five minutes," Guard Pearce stated.

Forty head of cattle, 12 horses and about 50 pigs were taken to safety. The bull, disturbed by the fire and before it was tied. almost disputed the right-of-way with the racing New Toronto fire truck as it drew into the grounds.

When the fire was at its height, a dense pall of smoke was blown over New Toronto, bits of charred wood and ashes falling in the streets over a mile away.

"We could have saved two bulldings if we had had enough water" Fire Chief William Spindler Mimios, told The Star. "We couldn't draw enough water from the six-inch mains. Last summer Deputy Chief Waltes of New Toronto and I inspected the place and among other things asked that a larger water main, a 10-inch one, be laid, but the government didn't do it. There is the same condition at the Industrial school. They need new hydrants there too. The ones they have are only for 11-2-inch hose and that is of no use to us."

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"Ohio was no stranger to deadly building fires. But none of the previous fires foreshadowed the 1930 Easter Monday fire as closely as the October 8, 1928, dormitory blaze at the State Brick Plant at Junction City, Ohio, where fifteen inmates died and twenty-seven were severely injured. Indeed, the day after the Columbus disaster, one journalist noted that the Brick Plant fire had called attention to the perilous conditions that reigned in prison farms and road camps and other related facilities, describing them as “firetraps” lacking adequate provision for the immediate release of inmates in the event of a fire.

Unlike the dangerously overcrowded Ohio Penitentiary, holding close to 4,500 inmates, the dormitory at the Brick Plant was a “barn-like structure of wooden frame and corrugated iron covering, erected upon a ten foot brick foundation,” with accommodations for 275 prisoners “sleeping in two-tiered bunks arranged in pairs with narrow aisles between.” Including 13 trusties, who did not sleep in the dorm, there were a total of 288 men at the Plant.

Several inmates discovered the Brick Plant fire at midnight, but by the time the alarm resounded through the dimly lit dormitory room it was too late. The fire spread quickly along the building’s floor and framework, leaping “from bunk to bunk across narrow aisles, while convicts cursed and screamed as they struggled to open doors and windows.” Making matters even worse, the fire hydrant did not work. As in the Columbus blaze in 1930, the convicts were awakened in time to escape, but upon reaching the nearest exits found them locked and barred. According to guards and convicts, it was probable that “many of the dead were trampled to death in a ‘mad rush for the exits.’”

Convicts who had made it out into the fresh air remembered looking back through windows “into the flaming interior,” where they witnessed sights that they would never forget, seeing fellow prisoners “wreathed in flames, rushing to  and fro” before disappearing in the smoke and flames that enveloped them as they fell to the floor. The roof and walls soon collapsed, showering ring the onlookers and writhing victims with burning embers.

As in the Columbus fire, stories of convict heroism abounded. Among the heroes was a convict overcome by smoke and burned to death as he tried to rescue his friend. Another prisoner, who had been responsible for the prison commissary, ran inside to fight the flames but perished “on his job.” One inmate, Andy Kiebert, who made it out safely, ran back into the burning building to rescue the convict mascot, a terrier named Tiny King. The animal lover suffered burns but fought his way back out, emerging with the relatively unscathed dog under his coat.

News reports would describe the fifteen fire victims as “charred bodies, part of them only small piles of bones,” with “few or none … possible of identification.”  A dozen of the more seriously burned were taken to the hospital at the Ohio Pen for treatment. A cursory identification of the dead was attempted, but remained tentative, their identifications being based for the most part on the location of the body when found. Prisoners aided in the task “to some extent,” but not with any degree of certainty. In the early going, the only ones identified were two African American inmates. A prison dentist examined the victims’ teeth to aid in the identifications. The remains were buried in the New Lexington Cemetery, where markers were set up for those whose identities had been established. Twenty men were missing, three of whom, officials believed, had seized the opportunity to escape during the confusion that followed the fire’s discovery. Others, including many cons, insisted none had escaped. Despite the opportunity for a learning moment, few lessons had been learned at the Junction City fire."

- Mitchel Roth, Fire in the Big House: America's Deadliest Prison Disaster. Athens: Ohio University Press, 2019. p. 89-90.

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"VOUS RAPPELEZ-VOUS, LECTEURS?" Le Petit Journal. December 10, 1933. Page 4. --- Voici deux photos d'un même bâtiment, avant et après un incendie allumé dans des conditions qui sonlevèrent à Montréal et bien au delà un émoi considérable. Il y a treize mois de cela. Il y eut alors des blessés, $500,000 de dégâts; et un procés et des enquêtes s'ensuivirent. On achève à peine les réparations consécutives à cet incendie dramatique. Cela ne se passait pas à Montréal meme, mais tout près. Vous en souvenez-vous, lecteurs? Vous trouverez en page 17 un article où sont rappelés ces faits sensationnels, et vous verrez si vous avez deviné juste.

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"Incendie criminel?" La Patrie (Montreal). May 16, 1934. Page 40. --- A la prison de Kingston. - Enquête par les autorités fédérales. ---- KINGSTON, 16. - Un incendie a éclaté hier au pénitencier de Kingston. Ayant pris naissance en quatre endroits différents dans Falle où se trouvent les réserves de cuir qui servent à confectionner les chaussures des prisonniers, la batisse fut bientôt enveloppée d'un épais nuage de fumée. Les pompiers se rendirent en toute hate sur le lieu du sinistre et luttèrent pendant quatre heures contre les flammes avant d'en avoir le contrôle. Tout danger a maintenant disparu. Les dommages furent de $25.000 a $50,000. En se rappelant les menaces faites par les prisonniers d'incendier la bâtisse, l'on se demande si cet incendie n'a pas une cause criminelle.

Pendant que les autorités ve préparaient à faire une enquête sur l'origine des flammes, des gardes armés patrouillaient l'en- ceinte du pénitencier.

OTTAWA, 16. - Une enquête prompte et complète sera faite pour découvrir les causes du sérieux incendie qui a éclaté au pénitencier de Portsmouthh. Le feu prit presque simultanément en quatre endroits différents, dont trois dans la grande salle où les prisonniers changent leurs habits, prennent leur bain et se font la toilette.

Le Brig-gén. D.-M. Ormond, surintendant de pénitenciers en informa l'hon. H. Guthrie, aussitôt qu'il en eut lui-même connaissance.

Image caption: LE PENITENCIER DE KINGSTON Vue à vol d'oiseau des édifices où un incendie s'est déclaré hier. Les dommages sont assez considérables. Une enquête va être faite pour en rechercher les causes.

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"Warden Sends Thanks To Kingston Fire Dept." Kingston Whig-Standard. May 25, 1934. Page 3. ---- In appreciation of the services rendered by the Kingston Fire Department during the fire at the institution on May 15th, the following letter has been received by Fire Chief James Armstrong from Col. W. B. Megloughlin, Warden of Kingston Penitentiary: "Chi! Armstrong.

Kingston Fire Department, "Kingston, Ontario.

"My Dear Chief: "It becomes my pleasant duty to acknowledge with sincere thanks, the invaluable assistance 80 willingly given by you and your staff in connection with the fire in this institution on the 15th instant

"The service rendered by your brigade was a recognized feature in making it possible to control and ultimately extinguish the blaze, and the work of your staff was very highly commendable.

"If you will please advise me of any damage or shortage of your equipment, I will be glad to place the matter before my branch headquarters.

"It was pleasing to note how unhesitatingly you responded to call for assistance and the efficient manner in which were operations carried out.

"With expressions of my own personal thanks, also. "Yours very sincerely,

"W. M. MEGLOUGHLIN.

"Warden".