Kanatenah Apartments

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Fireman John J. Siriani of Central Fire Station is in Faxton Hospital in critical condition following a relapse suffered late yesterday afternoon.

He has acute dilatation of the heart brought on by over exertion in the fire which yesterday morning partially destroyed the Kanatenah Apartments. His constitution had already been weakened from asphyxiation received fighting a fire in the basement of the Richmount Hotel last December.

He was rushed from the scene of the fire yesterday morning by the Utica Taxi Ambulance and was treated both at the spot and at Faxton by Dr. James G. Douglas. Following a visit to the hospital last night, Dr. Douglas declared Siriani's condition "very serious."

Fireman Peter Siriani, likewise in Faxton Hospital as a result of the blaze, was reported yesterday as much improved.. It is expected he will be released today.

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UTICA DAILY PRESS - March 3, 1931

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Nearly 1,000,000 Gallons of
Water Used, Sullivan Claims[/size]
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Belief that 200,000 and 1,000,000 gallons of water were used in extinguishing the $200,000 fire in the Kanatenah Apartments, 1502-1504 Genesee Street, early yesterday morning was expressed by Fire Chief Joseph N. Sullivan, pending receipt of official reports.

The figure is nearly 25 times that for the entire month of February. It includes use of the fire tower for nearly three hours with an average flow of 1,100 to 1,300 gallons a minute.

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Will Rebuild at Once


According to Samuel Grossman, Herkimer, who shares ownership of the building with Samuel Rosen, the burned portions of the structure will be rebuilt at once. Mr. Grossman said that they planned to restore the building to its original condition as quickly as possible. He could not predict what percentage of the tenants would be returned, but said that everything possible was being done to make the structure comfortable.

Fully half of the building is uninhabitable at present as a result of fire and water damage estimated by owners as more than $275,000 to the building and $35,000 to furniture.


Real Loss Unknown[/size]


Insurance reports filed at the Central Fire Station revealed $150,000 on the building and $4,000 on furniture. Fire inspectors were unable to get information regarding the loss of tenants save that 4% out of 10 owned their own furniture. The Gerald Lynch Hat Shop reported considerable damage but stated that all was covered by insurance from $1,6000 to $2,000. This is located on the north end of the building.

The entire south end of the building was practically deserted by tenants yesterday. In cases where the apartments were furnished the loss was strikingly low. H. Mc Loughlin on the first floor of the damaged portion estimated his loss at $175 and Paul Blumfield and Raymond J. Smith, eighth floor tenants believed $50 would easily cover the damage. Mrs. Claire Kennedy whose apartments were totally destroyed places her loss at $2,000.

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Steam Provides Another Thrill[/size]


Steam Heat was restored to the building yesterday through the use of emergency boiler. Steam from a broken pipe on the eighth floor poured over a cornice and resulted in a telephone call to Number 1. No service was necessary.

Firemen remained at the scene of the blaze until well into the afternoon. The last piece of apparatus left at 1:36 following mare than 14 hours of continuous service. Water was shut off about 9 a. m.

Belief by firemen that that the hydrant near Oswego and Genesee was supplied by the large Genesee Street airXXit rather than any defect in the hydrant was responsible for the lack of pressure experienced, Chief Sullivan explained yesterday. The Oswego Street hydrant has a smaller main and will only accommodate a 750 gallon pump. Those on Genesee Street provide for 1,000.

A false alarm turned in between the second and third alarm yesterday morning brought every piece of apparatus in the city into action save number X on Wetmore Street,, the chief pointed out. The alarm sent three pieces of apparatus to th Adams Brothers & Company Rope Walk on Oneida Street and before they returned a third alarm practically cleared the engine houses. Belief that the smoke from the Kanatenah caused the alarm was held by fire officials. It was learned yesterday that the smoke settled over the Corn Hill district and even filled houses nearly a mile from the scene of the blaze.

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Tower Covered With Ice[/size]


Firemen experienced difficulty in removing the tower, caked from top to bottom with a thick layer of ice. Street car traffic was blocked until 7 a. m. and the street railroad company pressed busses into service one of which made a round trip to Clinton.

Tarpaulin furnished by the salvage crew remained covering furniture in numerous apartments yesterday. About 43 squares of canvas were used, a sufficient number to cover nearly all furniture below the fifth floor. Two ladies pocketbooks and a watch are at the Central Fire Station awaiting owners. These together with a few similar trinkets, were gathered during the fire.

Gas and electricity were both turned on yesterday, although the elevator service was not restored. Belief was expressed that it would be two or three days before the elevators will again be in shape.

Policemen were stationed at the building throughout the day and admitted only tenants.

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Officials to Investigate[/size]


Fire officials are still making a cause for the blaze and an investigation is planned.

In the excitement attending the fire it was reported Miss Grace A. Jones had been led from apartment 56, dazed and suffering from effects of smoke. She said this was incorrect, that she had left the apartment shortly after the fire was discovered to take a pet to a neighbor's and then had then returned to pick up certain valuables. Finding her apartment in no apparent danger she had remained there.


One Fireman in Trouble[/size]


If one may attach humor to a near tragedy, there was the fireman that nearly lost his pants, which is to say trousers. He was a hefty chap, a good fireman, fearless and a hard worker. Indeed as it turned out, he worked too hard for the fiber and texture of his gallusses. The good old braces stood it as long as they could, as the fire raged and refugees lugged baggage and bundles through rivulets in the street.

UTICA DAILY PRESS - March 3, 1931

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MODERN APARTMENT HOUSE EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE


. . . AS EXEMPLIFIED IN UTICA'S REMODELED KANANTENAH APARTMENTS . . .



OBSERVER DISPATCH - OCTOBER 7, 1931

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