Crushed Under Falling Ladder: Top Floors of Six Houses Became a "Raging Furnace:" Foreign Families Homeless: An Eye-Wi less's Story, 'A French volunteer fireman was killed, three others were injured, the occupants of a terrace of houses were rendered homeless and considerable damage was done to property as the result of a destruc. tive fire which broke out at 115] Route Vallon early on Sunday morn~ ing, Shorty" after the arrival Torrent, Nos. 111, 113, 117, 119 and 121 in the row also became involved, the top storeys being burnt out.
The following were the casualties among the volunteer firemen:—
Killod—Fireman Bassasl, No. who hurried to the spot from a neighbouring house, "Mrs. Jokins's husband was on duty at the Waterworks at the time, She and her two children, when their room was already full of smoke, were awakened by the houseboy' shouting out, 'Fire' She just had time to rouse her two children in the same room and escape in her nightgown. Now she and many other residents are wearing borrowed clothes.—Just after this the place became a raging furnace. Mr. and Mrs. Johns have lost everything and unfortunately they are not insured."
"Two young men who live at the same house—No, 121—returned (No, 2 Ca.), Bortecle (No. 1 Ca.), Peniguel (slightly injured). fall from the escape was the cause of Fireman Bassail's fatal 1 secident. Fireman Atkinson, on the arrival of his section, on running to his position tripped over Tength of hose and as he then. thought had dislocated his ankle. The injury afterwards proved to be a break, Fireman Peniguel was only slightly injured. Firemen Bortecle, who also was on the ladder, and Atkinson were admitted to the Hopital Ste. Marie. They were stated Inst night to be progressing favourably and expected to be out in a few days. home in the small hours in evening dress to watch the destruction of their rooms and belongings."
Cause of Fireman Bassil's Death Although the exact nature of the mishap to the French volunteer fire brigade's escape which led fall of Fireman Bassait on Sunday morning, when Lo Torrent were coping with a serious fire in Route Vallon, is to be made the subject of an inquiry, 'a preliminary report of the oceurrence has already been drafted.
The escape was extended about 195 fect and placed against the wall of one of the houses in the terrace, As far as is known the truck war
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