The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-15

kASOlDENl- oIA lhEnfEN
SEVERELY INJURED. On Saturday
morning about 4 O'clock q fire broke out
in the second story of the premises No.
rs, west side of Market square, belong
ing to J. d. Myrack, ESQ.,, and occupied
by Jas. Harris, as an exhibition Of
snakes, monkeys, &c. The Fire De-
partment was promptly on hand, but
despite their efforts, the building was
burned to the ground. The flames
spread to tn. adjoining building, No. %.
owned by Mrs. r. b. Tunis; but the
fire was stopped after burning the roof.
and the third story. While these prem.
ises were on fire, the United Fire Com
-pany received directions to run a line of
hose, by means of ladder planted for
the purpose, to the third story window.
The pipemen of this efficient company.
Immediately stepped forward to car.
ry out the orders of their officers, and
assembled the ladder, dragging the hose
after then. They were doing good exc
cution for about fifteen minutes. and
the pipemen wanting to change his
position, called for assistance to light
up on the hose, when one of the men
assembled the ladder, and by its spring.
Ing broke below the couplings, and pre-
cipitated the men upon 1t to the ground.
distance of at least 60 feet. We regret
to state that these gallant firemen were
all more or less injured. VIM. II.
Hodges, who as at the top of the ladder
had his left arm broken; Nicholas Ches.
nut had two of his ribs broken and was
also injured internally, and is in very
critical candition; Charles Harness was
badly bruised and his head cut; Isaac
Stephenson, badly bruised. and John
| r. Morris had his ankle sprained and
received cash in his shoulder. The
wounded men were taken to their
homes, and medical aid sent for.
| About 2 O'Clock Saturday afternoon
the Wondering fire in the ruins again
broke out, and for time threatened the
premises on the south side, occupied by
w. B. Weber, as family grocery. The
firemen however, were on hand and
soon put out the fire. At this alarm.
| George Hobbs of the United Fire Com.
pany, had his head laid open by brick
which fell from the ruins while the
Hook and Ladder Company were pull.
ing down one of the walls. The United
Fire Company, therefore, had six of her
most efficient members wounded while
in the discharge of their duties. Such
firemen should certainly be appreciated.
+. G. FOlger, the Chief Engineer of the
Fire Department, complimented this
company for their efficiency, and re-
| quested every attention to be paid to
their wounded companions. Chief En-
gineer Folger is entitled to high praise.
His skill and energy were equalled only
| by the pertinacity of the brave men who
stood about him in the hour of peril; for
it should be stated that it was asking
too much of men to approach the crazy
rookeries called ware houses, such as
those burned down on Saturday. The
Hook and Ladder Company displayed
the utmost courage in razing the
crazy old walls. Capt. Bennett aud his
able company are an indispensable ac-
QUESTION to our Fire Department. The
unfortunate breaking of the ladder was
one of those incidents in the life of q
fireman impossible to provide against.
1t was no fault of the Hook and Ladder
| Company, but the natural defect of the
wood in the ladder.
The premises No. %, which were to.
tally consumed, belonged to John d.
Myrack, ESQ.,, and were insured in the
Manhattan Company of New York, fol
$4,000. The building, No. 26, belonged
to Mrs. r. b. Tunis, and was insured in
q Virginia office (the Home Mutual fol
$4,000. The show of Mr.. Harris was to
tally destroyed. The stock of Mr.
Wright's grocery, was completely ruined
by water. B. /. Mooers, proprietor OF thu
Ledley House, occupying the grounC
floor of Mrs. Tunis's building, saved
most of his stock. Total loss estimated
at about SIC, 900, not covered by insur
ance.
The fire on Market square broke GU
again on Saturday nightabout 10 o'clock
Officer Burke, on the Market square
beat, gave the alarm as matter of pre-
caution. The sparks were flying very
thick and the wind quite high, endan
gering other buildings in the neighbor.
hood. A little water thrown by the Aid
Fire Company soon smothered the fire
and removed all cause of danger or alarm
On Sunday, at noon, the United Fire
Company was again called into requisi.
ton, as the ruins of No. 28 again broke
out afrcsh and threatened the adjoining
property. In our opinion, this fire must
have been the work of an incendiary.
! Only the lower floor of Mr.. Myrack's
house was occupied, all the upper stories
were vacant and had been so for some
time.