NEWSPAPER & ARCHIVE
THE CARELESS HANDLING OF LAMPS CAUSES A HEAVY LOSS.
Toronto, February, 14. - Toronto university was totally destroyed by fire tonight. The loss is $500,000. Preparations had been made for the annual conversazione, at which 2,000 persons were expected to be present and it was just before the guests commenced to arrive at 7 o'clock, that the fire broke out. The building was not supplied with enough gas jets so that on any special occasion it was necessary to light up with lamps. Two men were engaged in carrying up stairs six lighted lamps to be put in chandeliers, when the man on the lower end, fearing the lamps might fall let go his hold. The lamps fell and broke and the oil spread all over the stairs and down on the already heavily oiled floor. All the buildings were destroyed. The library worth $100,000, the museum with its valuable specimens and curiosities, mathematical instruments and furniture were all destroyed. One domestic was severely burned. The property including all the buildings and contents was insured in two companies to the extent of $164,000.
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