The Queen Anne Fire That Nearly Took Mrs. Geddes

Flames destroyed the residence of Prof. William M. Geddes at the corner of Garfield and White streets on Queen Anne Hill early yesterday morning and came very near causing the death of Mrs. Geddes, who was rescued by her husband in an unconscious condition.

The house occupied by the Geddes family was a two-story house, valued at $5,500 and well furnished. About 4 o'clock yesterday morning the professor heard a sharp sound like a small pistol shot. He jumped from bed, thinking that burglars were in the house. He hastily threw on his clothes and stepped to the door, where he heard a second report. His wife heard the noise also, but neither at this time had any idea of what was to follow. The moment Mr. Geddes stepped into the hall he heard the crackling of flames and saw that the house was ablaze throughout the lower part.

Mr. and Mrs. Geddes rushed down stairs and out into the cold morning air, the latter clad only in her night robe. Thinking, however, that she might save some of her clothes, she rushed back into the burning house, and had gotten half way up the stairs when she was overcome by smoke and fell in a stupor. Her husband, realizing the dangerous move Mrs. Geddes had made, plunged into the smoke and came upon the form of his wife, who in a few moments would have been suffocated. He carried her out into the cold air, where she speedily revived and was apparently none the worse for her trying experience. Mr. Geddes then rushed over to the Queen Anne hill engine house and gave the alarm. Fire apparatus from house No. 4 also responded, but the house was burned down before assistance could be rendered. Chemical was used to prevent the flames spreading to a small house adjoining.

The house was insured by Stoddard & Brown for $5,500 in the Norwich Union. There was $750 insurance on the contents. Among the things burned was a fine piano which Mr. Geddes valued at $600. It is thought that the explosion of a lamp left burning caused the fire.