A total of 60 volunteer trained firemen from six Holt County cities and towns fought the historic blaze.

O'Neill Fire Chief G. E. Miles, who arrived on the scene within minutes after the alarm was sounded, immediately invoked the Holt County mutual fire defense plan.

This summons brought manned fire-fighting equipment from Atkinson (two units), Chambers, Page, and Stuart. Several Ewing firemen also came to the scene to assist.

Three unites of O'Neill fire-fighting equipment were engaged in battle that wore on into the cold winter night.

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-Radio Station KBRX broadcast vivid descriptions of the St. Mary's Academy fire from the scene.