"Nearly $200,000,000 in coin and bullion is stored in the vaults of the mint and for the preservation of this prize a devoted band of employes, re-enforced by regular soldiers, fought until the baffled flames fled to the conquest of stately blocks of so-called fireproof buildings.
"For seven hours a sea of fire surged around this grand old federal edifice, attacking i on all sides with waves of fierce heat. Its little garrison was cut off from retreat for hours at a time, had such a course been thought of by those on guard.
"Iron shutters shielded the lower floors, but the windows of the upper story, on which are located the refinery and assay office, were exposed.
"When the fire leaped Mint Avenue in solid masses of flames the refinery men stuck to their windows as long as the glass remained in the frames. Seventy-five feet of an inch hose played a slender stream upon the blazing window sill, while the floor was awash with diluted sulphuric acid. Ankle deep in this sodiers and employees stuck to the floor until the windows shattered. With a roar, the tongues of fire licked greedily [at] the inner walls. Blinding and suffocating smoke necessitated the abandonment of the hose and the fighters retreated to the floor below.
"Then came a lull. There was yet a fighting chance, so back to the upper story the fire-fighters returned, led by Superintendent Leach. At length the mint was pronounced out of danger and a handful of exhausted but exultant employees stumbled out on the hot cobblestone to learn the fate of some of their homes."
--Harold French
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The California Reader
http://www.notfrisco.com/calmem/index.html