Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

16 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

I MUMBLES MAN'S COMMISSION.…

Advertising

ITRE OF FAME! I i

Advertising

11FIRE AT DRYMMA

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

11 FIRE AT DRYMMA Newly Opened Home Par- "I tially Destroyed. By a strange irony of fo-te, Drymma Mansion* that was destined to be the im- mediate home for the feeble-minded in the joint Poor Law Unions of Glamor- gan, with the exception of Cardiff, was partially destroyed by fire on Sunday. The origin is unknown. There was nothing to indicate the disaster when the matron (Misg Cuthbertson) and her staff retired to rest on Saturday night, and it was not until four o'clock on Sunday morning that they were awakened by flames and smoke issuing from the main block. As promptly as possible the alarm was raised, and the police at Skewen were communicated with, and also the Swan- sea Fire Brigade. In less than 15 minutes after receiving the call, Inspector Fivans and his fire- men arrived on the scene with the motor fire engine and applianoes, and satisfying tblemadvet that there was no one within the burning building, set to work to check the flames, which by this time had got a tremendous hold on the build- ing, and the blaz* could be seen for miles around. The heroic efforts of the firemien were at first retarded by an economised water pressure, but when tho watermen arrived and full pressure was on, the supply of water was plentiful, and the brigade were able to confine the conflagration to the main block. For hours the brigade worked to save the whole of the building, and their efforts were ably seconded by Inspector Gill (Skewen), P.S. Clinch (Skewen), P.S. 'Davies (Clydaeh). and a number of constables drawn from D Division of the County Constabulary. At dawn the central part of the beau- tiful mansion was gutted; the massive staircase was reduced to cinders, and the reception hall a mass of burning dubris. This was the picSure which Mr. W. B. Trick. J.P., chairman of the Joint Poor law Establishment Committee, wit- nessed when he arrived at an early hour. It was he who opened the building for the reception of the feeble-minded the previous Tuesday; it was he who had worked to hard and long to secure the success of the scheme, and his feel- ings can be better imagined than described, as he looked upon the wreck of his throe years' labour. He was subse- quently joined by Mr. J. H. Rosser, J.P., Chairman of the Swansea Bcftrd of Guar- dians, who also had taken a very deep and practical interest in the foundation of the institution. Other members of the com- mittee who were present were Mr. Levi James (Neath) and Mr, J. Prowle (Mer- thyr), who at the close of the opening cere- mony on Tuesday remarked: Mr. Trick has to-day set an acom; I hope he will live long to see the tree flourish.v They were all overcome with emotion, and powsrless to save the building from its fiery grip. There was one consoling fact; the seventy patients for whom pro- ision had been made had not taken up residence Those who saw the building at the open- ing ceremony, and also the Swansea Giar- dians, do made an inspection at the in- vitation ol Mr. J. H. Rosser two months previously, can appreciate the magnitude of the scheme, and the great loss which the catastrophe has occasioned. It vras the first of its kind in Wales, and the second j in the country. The mansion was erected in 1884 for the late Mr. John Paddon, a wealthy Devonian, and the site on the heights of the Drymma mountain was selected because the members of his large family suHorod from ill-health. It was a commodious and substantially-built struc- ture on modern hygienic principles, and several tons of silver sand and eoncreto, were used in its construction. The houeo was fitted with patent lever locks; every door had a different key, with a master key to fit aH the hundreds of locks on the premises The grounds were prettily laid out with shrubs and trees, extensive gar- dens. walks, a beautiful terrace, and ;*Ln, ornamental fish-pond. The purchaso price and structural alterations, furni- ture. etc.. involved an expenditure of about X20.000. The damage, which is roughly estimated It £ 12,000. is covered by insurance, and thanks are due to the Swansea Fire,.Bri- gade for their prompt response to the call and the heroic manner the man worked to confine the fire to the main block. The staff quarters have beeq eaved from ruin, but greatly damaged by fire and water. Up to a late hour on Sunday evening the mansion was a smouldering wreckage, and hundreds of people climbed the heights to see it.

RELEASED FROM THE .PIT. I

DEAOLt FLANNELETTE.i

[No title]

Advertising

SWANSEA BAKER'S OFFENCE.

Advertising

BURRYPORT AFFRAY. I

ACCIDENT AT CLYDACH WORKS.…

Advertising

[No title]

Advertising