SEVENTEEN DIE IN BIG HOSPITAL FIRE PATIENTS STAMPEDE AND SOME OF RESCUED RUN BACK INTO BURNING STRUCTURE. NO ONE BLAMED FOR TRAGEDY No Theory of Origin of Fire Except Possible Defective Wiring-Two Badly Burned. Columbia.-Seventeen persons were burned to death when the eleventh ward, a single-story wooden structure, at the State Hospital for the Insane, was destroyed by fire at 3 o'clock. Two other patients are in a precarious condition. Fifteen of the patients were burned to death within the four walls. Two (lied later in the day from burns. The ward was occupied by 45 patients. An inquest was held by Coroner Scott, when a thorough investigation as to the possible cause of the fire was made. From the testimony adduced, no theory was advanced as to the origin of the fire except possibly from defective insulation of the electric wiring. It was developed that all night employees were at their respective posts and that no delinquency of duty was attached to any one connected with the institution. The tragedy was regarded as wholly unavoidable and no blame could be placed on any one. Building of Wood. The building was a small one-story wooden structure and was one of the oldest on the grounds. The flame was discovered between the ceiling and the roof, which was covered with a layer of three-ply .paper roofing. This, Dr. Williams explained in his testimony was regarded as fireproof by insurance companies. In further precaution, he had consulted the Columbia fire department and procured its consent to use the material before it was put on. The state electrician, Dr. Williams further said, has been constantly alert in making inspections of wiring about the institution. The architect also has been watchful and the employees are continually instructed to be on guard in precaution against possible fires. The cooking for the patients takes place in another building, and hot water is led through mains from other buildings. Patients are not allowed to handle matches. The theory as to defective wiring was the most plausible Dr. Williams could suggest. The flame was discovered in the ceiling directly in line with the wiring. F. L. Altman, the night attendant of the eleventh ward, discovered the fire just before 3 o'clock, he said. He was sitting in the small office leading into the ward when he (letected an odor of some ling burning. lie made a hurried inspection of the inter-ior- of the ward, -und then rnushed to the outside for a quick survey of the building. lHe rushed back into the ward and againt seeing no flame wtl to the back sidle of the building. Tur-ning back into the wvard he saw a small jet of flame pr-otr-uding thr-ough the ceiling. While giving testimony Dr. Williams emphasized that this "stampeding" was characteristic of normal persons. IHe had knowvn of c-hildr-en rushing into the burnning bui! - and trying to seek shelter in theia ,eds when Ahe house was burning down, he said. The Dead. Thomas W. Baker,. Marion. J. W. Brock, Seneca. Willie Boyter,- Moore. Jake Bell, Aiken. H. H. Fr-ee, Blackville. J. B. Greer, Greer-. J. R. Green, Spar-tanburg. Rufust Hewitt, Aynor. Hen;;y Lamb, Rtidgeland. L. M. Lewie, Conway. Alber-t McSwain, Vaucluse. John Owensey, Greenville. E. L. Sillman, Williamston. J. C. Todd, Charleston. Walter White, Plum Branch. T. HI. Wells, Mt. Carmel. Severely Burned. J. B. Timmorman, Kirksey. Hector Logan, New Brookland