Major Fire near the Hospital Church and Rescue of the Passer Bridge

Merano, 4 March. A few minutes before twelve o'clock noon, the fire alarm was sounded. The fire broke out in the timber yard of master carpenter Michl Strobl, situated above the state bridge over the Passer and near the hospital church. In the terrible gale that raged almost incessantly, the entire stock of timber and the adjoining barn were already in full flames just as the first assistance reached the scene of the disaster. Owing to the proximity of the water, however, and with the extinguishing appliances that had promptly arrived, the crowds flocking from all quarters succeeded in preventing the fire from spreading, and especially in saving the only link with the opposite bank of the Passer, the state bridge, which had already caught fire. By half past one the terrible element had been brought under control. Apart from the loss of the timber supply, estimated at roughly 2,000 florins imperial currency, the adjacent barn and the three cows inside it, and the partial destruction of the surrounding vineyard, all property of the aforementioned carpenter, no further damage was sustained.

The cause of the fire's outbreak is not yet known. Special praise for actions performed with as much daring as prudence and endurance is due to the new civic master mason Gitterle and the civic master carpenter Jemic. — All classes, including the imperial-royal authorities, the reverend clergy, and the student youth, competed to the best of their abilities to halt the disaster. The imperial-royal gendarmerie appeared immediately on the scene and, alongside their own active efforts, contributed greatly to maintaining order.

- We have also just received a dispatch from Merano concerning this conflagration, the third in this town within a short space of time, indicating that the fire may well have been caused by carelessness, such as workers smoking open pipes and the like. The students, with youthful eagerness and self-sacrifice, were the first at the most dangerous points and the last to leave the scene. The correspondent concludes: Remarkable coincidence of events! Yesterday the annual vowed procession to Lana took place to the Church of St Agatha to avert the danger of fire. It was a veritable host of worshippers. Every citizen, dutiful and duty-bound, made an appearance; every family sent a representative to the pious undertaking. All placed their gratitude for manifest heavenly protection upon the altar and sent heartfelt prayers to heaven to remain assured of further protection. Thus did the faithful citizenry of Merano profess itself dependent upon the almighty Lord of the elements! — Today's warning from this Lord might easily be the last!”