The Depot at Tehachapi Also Destroyed - Fire Started on Oil Burning Engine of Limited - S.P. Engine Saves Train

[Special Dispatch to "Echo"]

TEHACHAPI, February 22 – At 12:20 p.m. today, immediately after the Santa Fe Limited train No. 3 stopped here, a dense cloud of smoke was seen from the front of the depot, instantly followed by a sheet of flames. Officers, employees, trainmen and others were seen crowding each other through the rear windows, hatless and coatless.

The fuel oil in the engine tender had in some unaccountable manner become ignited. The engine is No. 1098 and was in charge of Engineer Wallace and Fireman Bolby, with Conductor Hawes in charge of the train. Luckily another engine was in the yard and it was coupled to the rear of the train, which was all pulled a safe distance except a combination mail and express car.

For a time the town was in imminent danger of being wiped off, but prompt and persistent work on the part of the citizens kept the dry shingle roofs from being ignited by the flying embers. There are no facilities for fire fighting, and under the circumstances, Tehachapi can say she has the best fire fighters in the world.

The flames entered the door of the depot so quickly that there was no possible chance for escape in that direction. Agent Burchhaw and Assistant Agent Chamberlain lost their hats and coats and L. H. Brown, an insurance agent, could not get to the door to pick up a valise he had deposited there and instant before.

Nothing whatever was saved from the depot except the contents of the safe, which were slightly damaged. All telegraph and telephone lines were cut off, but in twenty minutes the Postal was in working order and the Western Union shortly afterward. The loss in the way of freight in the depot has not been estimated, but will be quite large, as some of the merchants had consignments of merchandise in the wareroom t the time of the fire.

The train secured Engine No. 2683 and pulled out at 2:18 p.m.

Engineer Wallace Talks About Fire

Says the Fire Started From a Defective Oil Feed Pipe From Tank to Firebox.

The delayed Santa Fe Limited train arrived here about 5 o'clock and after the usual stop proceeded on its way to San Francisco.

Mr. Wallace says that his train had stopped at Tehachapi for orders, and he was down on the ground oiling his engine when the fire broke out. It started under the engine from a leaking oil feed pipe from the tank to the engine. The flames burst out in an immense blaze, and in a few minutes the engine was on fire all over where there was any woodwork. The fireman, C. J. Bolby was in the cab when the flames burst out, and jumped to the ground to save himself.

The flames spread from the engine to the composite car immediately in the rear, which contained some baggage, and mail, also the barber shop and smoking compartment. The flames spread to the depot, and in an instant the building was a mass of flames.

Fortunately a Southern Pacific engine was in the yard, and coupling on the rear of the (unreadable)..train was pulled out of danger. If the engine had not been there the entire train would have been consumed. Although the citizens of the town fought the fire gallantly, says Engineer Wallace, their efforts were in vain. The depot and the freight house, containing much merchandise, were destroyed.

The damage to the Santa Fe engine is not great. Only the woodwork about the cab, the pilot and the tank were burned. Mr. Wallace says that the fire burned so quickly that he was unable to get his coat. The composite car and all its contents were entirely consumed.

The greatest excitement prevailed among the passengers on the limited. Mr. Wallace says that a stiff breeze was blowing at the time, which carried the sparks over on top of the business houses and only the prompt work of the people saved the town from burning up.

Conductor Haws was in charge of the train, and Brakeman Kennedy was on the train.

The loss sustained by the Southern Pacific in the destruction of the depot is not known. The building itself probably cost about $4000, but the loss on the freight will be quite heavy.