DENVER STOCKYARDS - 1921

Photo: Denver Public Library 

Fire Engineering
Oct. 1, 1921

Denver, Colo.—A fire at the Denver stock yards, July 11th, brought forth the appeals of a special alarm. However, later events proved that this was done for precautionary measures and not because of any necessity.

The cattle became frantic, the same as you and I would, if flames were creeping upon us from behind, and the poor things bellowed piteously.

The fire laddies succeeded in opening the pens, and then the animals stampeded, as was expected, but to enable the men to work upon the fire it was necessary to drive the cattle out of the way and that was done by playing several streams of water upon them.

During the time necessary to do this, Fire Chief John Healy sent the special alarm and later on he said:

“I thought when I first saw the fire that it was going to sweep the whole yards. Because of the struggling and bellowing cattle, it gave us one of the hardest fights I have ever participated in. I believe that the firse started from a cigar or a match dropped from the run-away over the pen.”

Owing to the splendid work of the fire department, only four of the dumb beasts were destroyed and the loss it is stated may be covered by five thousand dollars.

Anyone caught smoking in such a place ought to be soused in a hog trough.