$300,000 DAMAGE BY FIRE AT VASSAR.

MANY RELICS DESTROYED IN BLAZE WHICH FOR A TIME THREATENED THE MAIN BUILDING.

Special to The New York Times.
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Feb. 12. -- A fire which started in one of the maid's rooms on the fourth floor of the main building at Vassar College tonight destroyed property with $300,000, including many relics owned by MATTHEW VASSAR, founder of the college, and for a time threatened to destroy the entire building. Several firemen were overcome by smoke and injured by falling walls.
The fire was discovered just as the 1,000 students were finishing their dinner in the main dining room on the second floor. The students' fire department tried to control the blaze, and a call for help was telephoned to the Poughkeepsie department. Ten companies were sent out.
While the fire was at its height there were two other fires in Poughkeepsie, and about half the firemen were recalled from the college. They returned after putting out the fires in the city.
The main building is the oldest and largest on the campus, having been built between 1861 and 1865. It houses 400 students and members of the Faculty, and contains the administration offices, Post Office, and store.
During the first half hour of the fire the students formed a guard about the building, and at the entrance to the campus. Later they were relieved by about fifty members of Company F of the First Regiment, New York Guard, which is quartered in the State Armory here.

The New York Times New York 1918-02-13
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!