A Big Fire On State St.

A BIG FIRE ON STATE ST.

The Groves Block Badly Damaged by Fire

THE LOSS IS $3,000

A Student Rescued Over a Transom -- Reynold's Billiard Room Destroyed

The most destructive fire that has occurred in Ann Arbor this winter took place Sunday morning when the interior of the new E. W. Groves block on the corner of Liberty and State streets was burned and damaged by smoke and water. The conflagration began shortly after 7 a. m. in the basement of the building. It is supposed to have been started by live coals removed from the furnace grate and placed near rubbish of old wood and excelsior. The blaze quickly melted the connection of an inch and a half gas pipe and a stream of gas poured forth to aid the flames in their destructive work. Almar Mead, the janitor of the building had tended the furnace in the morning and removed the ashes. He says that they were taken to the rear of the furnace room, however, and placed on a pile of other ashes. The damage is approximately $3,000. The main supports and central partitions of the structure are wholly or partially destroyed and whether the building will be safe for occupation during repairs was for a time a question.

Reynolds' billiard hall is a chaos in the front end, the floor having caved in and formed a receptacle for the water, the billiard tables falling with the floor.

Everything was moved or thrown in the street and the several student roomers on the second floor are trying to arrange for a fire sale.

One of the most difficult feats that fell to the lot of the rescuers was when Victor Freeman, nearly suffocated to death, was pulled out over the transom by George Gregory and Ray Harknell. He was awakened with difficulty and was so blinded by smoke that he could not find his key. In vain his fellow roomers tried to batter down the door and as a last resort squeezed him through the transom in his pajamas. He was badly bruised, but is the only one who received any injuries. It is said that George Gregory secured his dress suit and ran down the street thinking his turn had come to carry the ball. Furnishings and wearing apparel were distributed in every building within a radius of two blocks and today the student roomers are about trying to match various parts of clothing so they will have at least one suit to wear. Most of the students' clothing and furniture was saved, however, in some place or other. Martin Schaller's book store was not burned, but considerable damage was done by smoke.

Insurance men are looking over the ruins and making estimates on the loss.

That the entire building was not burned is due to the prompt and efficient service of the fire department. There is hardly a corner in the building to which the smoke did not penetrate, following the steam and gas pipes.

E. W. Groves will begin to repair the building as early as possible