The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-27
CITY INTELLI NOE
! LFor AdditionaI Local nems see Third Paae.I
EXTENSIVE FIRE in THIRD ST.
Four Large Stores 1urned-over, a
million Of Dollars Worth OF
Property Destroyed-A Fire
man Killed, and Several
Seriously injured.

Last night about O'Clock disas.
trous 1re occurred in Third street. above Race.
It began In the extensive Wholesale hard ware
house OF George Fl. Roberts q Co., Nos. 235 and
237 N. Tnird street. The fremen we're very
promptly upon the ground, but despite all their
efforts the flames extended to the premises of
Messrs. James, Kent Santee & Co., dry-goods
jobbers, occupying Nos. 2d9 and 241 in the same
street, the adjoining premises. The latter hrm
had ON hand an immense stock OF goods. Their
trade amounts to millions annually, and 10 the
dull times their stock is exceedingly extensive.
This hrm had Just laid in part OF their spring
good, and their stock was therefore quite heavy.
1t is estimated that 1t must have reached In
value the sam OF $800,000. Their building, with
its contents, was burned to the third story. 1t
was also valued at $35,000. 1t was quite exten-
sive, reaching in depth one hundred and fifty
feet, and five stores in height. The flames
leaped with terrific fury through the windows OF
these extensive establishments, and 1t was with
great difficulty tnat the hremen could stand in
iiont Of the burning buildings, so great was the
heat arising thereirom.
The stores on the opposite side OF the street
were in danger OF Eeing fired from the intensity
of the neat, the flames reaching as they did at
times nearly the entire width OF che street.
No. 1884, adjoining on the north, is occupied
by George X. Smith Shoemaker, druggists
THIS building is five stories in height. The
flames were checked before they did much
damage In this structure, although the stock
on hand, which was valued at 100000, was
greatly damaged by water.
Messrs. Thomas & Brother, dealers in notions,
occupied part of the tour-story building No. 2S3,
adjoining the hardware store on the south. Mr..
J. Eisenhower, shoe manufacturer, ,lalso occupied
part of No. 233. The rear part OF this building
was somewhat damaged by fire, but the loss
was principally caused by water.
No. 231 is a four-story building, occupied by
Mr.. A. c. Stevenson q Sons, curriers'. He
also occupied the upper story of No. 223.
Thia building was but slightly damaged by fire.
He estimates his loss at $500. No insurance.
About halfpast seven o'clock, while the fire.
men were endeavoring to reach the flames by
placing hose on an adjoining building, the
south wall of the building fell on the store No.
233. This building was one story less in height
than the one on fire.
number of firemen, most of them members
Of the Columbia. Hose were on the rCof OF No;
233, and the falling OF the wall on this crushed
il in precipitating the men to the second story,
amid a mass OF rubbish and fire. The disaster
was at once noticed, and scene OF intense ex-
element followed.
The firemen directed their streams to where
they believed their comrades were buried, and
the scaling ladders were brought into request.
The exertions OF the hremen were hastened by
the cries of the men inside. When an entrance
was effected, Edward 0'Neal, Henry Kirby
Thomas Winters, James Mulheron, Frederick
Hines, and Matthew O'Brien, members OF the
Columbia, were found ia the ruins. They were
still alive. ON al was fastened beneath the
lumber and before he could be eXtricated he
died. The oLhers were released without diff
Guilty.
According TO the statement of Kirby, the men
all fell together, and when they reached the
second story, O'Neal suggested that they should
all unite In CRY tor help in order to insure the
probability of its being heard by friends. As
0'Neals head was crushed when he was Laken
out, it is believed that, while his companions
were being removed, the fall of some other por.
tion OF the wall caused his death. The deceased
resided in Fayette street, near Arch. He leaves
a wife and one child. William Kirby was badly
bruised. Thomas Waters had one leg broken.
James Mulheron was badly burned about the
face and neck. Ere lerick Hines was seriously
intQrnAllV taken
pital. OBrien was badly injured. With the
exception of Hines, all the injured men we're
removed to their homes.
In addition to the above members of the Co
lumbia Hose, James II. McCourt was badly in-
iured by the fail of the WALL and later in the
evening, Albert Ladner member of the United
States Hose, had an ann broken by falling
through hatchway. rtt
The falling of the wall gave the flames full
headway, and the building No. 233, occupied on
the first floor by Thomas q Brother, notions
and in the other stories by j. Eisenhower, shoe
dealer, was destroyed by being crushed to the
cellar. No. 23l, occupied by A. s. Stevens
leather dealer was badly damaged, and No. 229
occupied by d. f. Gallagher, perfumer, wa
considerably damaged by water. The fire occa
stoned great alarm among the boarders at tn
Eagle Hotel and the most Of the inmates lef
damaged by fire and water The fire continued
to burn until near midnight by which time tina
portion of the building occupied by James, Kent
Santee q Co. was burned down to the third story
Mr.. Roberts portion was entirely destroyed. II
had O stock of hardware valued at SAC, ,0O0 whic
was lost