Brandon, MB Insane Asylum Fire, Nov 1910

ASYLUM BURNS, INMATES SHIVER.

INSANE PATIENTS FORCED TO FIND SHELTER IN BARNS AND SHEDS.

BUILDING REDUCED TO MASS OF ASHES.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE BURNED IN ESCAPING BUT IT IS BELIEVED NONE OF THE INJURIES WILL PROVE FATAL.

Brandon, Man., Nov. 5. -- In the piercing cold of a chilly November night 600 patients of the asylum for the insane are huddled together in sheds and barns as the result of a fire which destroyed the asylum. The asylum was a mile and a half northeast of town and, despite the fact that an early alarm was given, it was an hour before the fire department had reached the scene and by that time the building was almost a total loss and burned to the ground.

Patients Are Released.
Immediately it was seen that the fire had gotten beyond control, and the asylum staff released the patients and by persuasion and threats headed them out of the building in squads. Men, women and children were huddled together in every available outbuilding, but enough of them had sense to realize the awful fate they had escaped and assisted in quieting those who were raving dangerously. A few seemed to recover their senses through the shock but it is feared they will again lose their minds when the excitement is over.

Every Inmate Taken Care Of.
To add to the horrors of the situation, a blizzard was blowing at the time but, despite this, several thousand people went out to the scene and rendered what assistance they could and practically every inmate was in safety within ten minutes after the outbreak, and the superintendent states that everyone has been accounted for, although a number were burned in escaping from the building. It is believed none of the injuries will result fatally.

The Evening Telegram Elyria Ohio 1910-11-05
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!