Plattsburgh, New York, USA
1929 - SIX RESCUED IN PLATTSBURG NORMAL FIRE. TEACHER DROPS PUPILS FROM WINDOW TO GROUND.

Plattsburg, Jan. 26 - Fire believed to have started in the basement as a result of an explosion of an oil burning furnace destroyed Plattsburg Normal School yesterday noon with an estimated loss of $235,000.

The first alarm was sounded at 10:25 o'clock and upon the arrival of the local department the three-story brick structure was a mass of flames. One hour later, despite the efforts of three departments all that remained of the building was the four walls that were expected to topple each minute.

Chief ELY SEYMOUR of the Plattsburg department summoned the departments at Plattsburg barracks and Morrisonville. With the six streams of water played on the doomed building the firemen were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to the nearby residences.

Teacher Saves Six.
PROF. LYNDON R. STREET, director of music, was giving music lessons to six youths, LYON PETERSON, HAROLD JERRY, JR., JACK AGNEW, PAUL AGNEW and MYRON DEVENBERG, when he observed smoke escaping beneath the door leading out into the long corridor that extends from the north to the south wings of the school. Opening this he found the corridor was a mass of flames and that the nearest exit was cut off. Rushing back into the room on the first floor in the south wing Professor STREET threw up the window and lowered the youths to the ground. All escaped injuries with the exception of JACK AGNEW who was injured when he dropped to the ground, a distance of about 20 feet. He was taken to Champlain Valley Hospital where he was treated by DR. LYMAN BARTON. Although the extent of his injuries could not be learned they are not thought to be serious.

The building which was constructed in 1892 accommodated 600 students, 100 of which were grade school pupils. The school was noted for its commercial course which was established by DR. GEORGE K. HAWKINS, present head of the school.

Plan New School.
According to the valuation set down in the legislative manual the value of the property was set at $235,000. The City of Plattsburg carried an insurance policy for $87,500 on the building.

An appropriation for a new building is pending in the State Department at Albany. No definite arrangements have yet been made for taking care of the students but it is believed that they city will be asked to furnish several public halls in which to continue sessions until such time as a better solution to the problem is found.

The Syracuse Herald
Syracuse, New York
January 27, 1929

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