OCR Text |
Show Threatens Retail District INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 17. The Occidental hotel, one of tho oldest hotels in the city, caught firo at 2 o'clock this morning'. Moro than 300 guests -were in tho hotel at the time, and it was with difficulty that they were removed to places of safety. There were a number num-ber of narrow escapes. Tho hotel ls situated in the heart of the retail district and tho fire threatens to spread through the center cen-ter of the city. A number of the largest derjartment stores in the city nro , threatened. The Indianapolis Sentinel building ls in imminent danger. . Seven companies have arrived from outlying suburbs, and it is believed that the fire will he confined to the hoteL which has already been gutted. Thousands of dollars' damage has been done to tho merchandise in adjoining ad-joining stores by smoko and water. The damage is estimated at $50,-000. $50,-000. The Occidental hotel is a four-story structure and fronts for half a block on Illinois street, from. tho corner of Washington street .south to Pearl street, Tho hotel is valued at $60,-000 $60,-000 and will probably result in a iotal loss. |