Northwest History. Alaska. Fires.

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1937
• Subjects: polar bear; fire; Point Barrow; Alaska; hospital; blaze; drugs; surgical instruments; hospital equipment; Presbyterian mission; school building; Northwest; Pacific > History > 20th century; Fire Point; Pacific; Barrow
• Online Access: http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/clipping/id/91023

Polar Bear Fire Fan: He Embarrasses Alaskans. POLAR BEAR FIRE FAN He Embarrasses Alaskans POINT BARROW. Alaska, Feb. 20. — (l.N.S.)—Alaska's northernmost hospital was in ruins today following a spectacular blaze that destroyed drugs, surgical instruments and hospital equipment. Absence of a wind saved the Presbyterian mission, school building and houses from possible destruction. A three-day obstetrical patient, first to discover the fire as smoke curled upward from the basement, climbed from bed, dressed and left the burning building with her baby. The only other patient, a ten-month-old baby, was brought to the Presbyterian manse and put to bed in a bathtub. A polar bear, attracted by the blaze, entered the village and frightened children who crowded into the manse in terror. Villagers ran after guns, but the fate of the bear was unknown.