Special to The Sentinel
LaFollette, July 4, - A destructive fire which cost one life and came near being a repetition of the sweeping conflagration of a few years ago in this town occurred on Saturday night. The upper floors of the Bradford hotel were gutted, and for a time it seemed that the entire Tennessee Avenue business section was doomed. Cheif of Police, Martin A. Fine lost his life in the discharge of his duty, and in assisting in the fighting the fire and endeavoring to save furnishings of the hotel.
M.A. Fine, Chief of Police, was early on the scene and notified the entire department to have every available hose belonging to department in immediate readiness for use, he himself rushing into the most dangerous places. The fire had not long been in progress when one of the firemen in passing through room number 10, which is located on the second floor of the hotel and near the stairway, stumbled over the fallen form of a human being. The fireman at once caught hold of the body and with assistance of another fireman brought forth the almost lifeless form of Mr. Fine. He was carried across the street into the Riggs Drug store and placed in charge of physicians, who did all possible to restore life, but to no avail, he dying in a few minutes.
Mr. Fine was one of the best officers LaFollette has ever had and his efficient service will be a great loss to our city, but it can be truthfully said that he died at his post. Mr. Fine leaves a wife and eight small children, the oldest of which is only about fourteen years of age. The funeral took place today at the new cemetery in LaFollette.
M.A. Fine was a member of the B.P.O. Elks at Knoxville, Knights of Pythias and other secret orders in all of which he was a faithful member.
The loss of the fire is estimated by some as not exceeding $10,000 including damages done the building, the fixtures, furniture and stock. $10,000 insurance was valuation placed on the entire building and stock not including the furniture owned by Mrs. Prince, the hotel proprietors, who it is claimed, sustained a complete loss of all her property, she having it only partially insured.
Mr. Fine, who died as a result of the fire, was one of the first to be attracted by the cry of fire. With others he ran to the nearby hose house, and pulled one of the hand hose reels to the scene of the fire and assisted in laying a line of hose to the burning building. Water from the local waterworks wiich has a fine pressure, was soon plying upon the building.
Mr. Fine, with assistants, then ran to another hose house, about half a mile from the scene of the fire. He aided in pulling this second reel to the fire district, and also in putting the line of hose into the building. Some believed that the physical exhausting incident to those combined and heroic efforts, coupled with the fact that he went into the interior of the burning building which by that time was thick with smoke, is responsible for his death. His exhausted state, from the running and pulling the hose reels, aided by a chronic heart affection, made it possible for the dense smoke, easily to overcome him.
The upper portion of the building was completely gutted and it will require much work to put in condition again. Until it is repaired or some other building is opened LaFollette is without a hotel. However, several restaurants are operating here.
A number of Elks from Knoxville and Jellico came out this morning to assist in attending the funeral services, and assist in the burial of Mr. Fine, who was a member of the Knoxville Elks lodge.