The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-04
A destructive Fire.
FOUR MERCANTILE HOUSES BURNED

FOUR MERCANTILE HOUSES BURNED OUT.
Yesterday afternoon at twenty minutes past
8 O'Clock, fire was discovered i'll the large five
story drug warehouse OF /, Morris PerOt Co.,
No. 62l Market street. The origin of the ire is
not known, but Is supposed TO have been caused
by the explosion OF II cdrboy OF lnhammable
substance in the cellar; but the spread Of the
flames was so rapid as TO prevent any lnyestiga-
ton before the tire had destroyed the building.
In less than ftteen minutes after the alarm was
first given, the flames had spread throughout
the structure five stories in height, and eXLen l.
ing back to Commerce street. The combustlble
nature of the contents OF the store aided the
fire, and at o'clock the ire was in every
portion of the building, aud, coming out OF the
windows, illuminated the neighborhoOd for
squares. A general alarm was then
sounded by the State House, ana the fremen
from all portions OF the city were soon on the
ground, but their efforts were directed TO the
preservation o. surrounding property The
intense heat of the fire n the drug store, to-
gether with the large fl % carried away to the
south and cast by the WIG, made this work of
the hremen an important one. For distance
OF not less than two squares from the fire,
buildings were in danger, aud the constant
attention OF the occupants was needed TO pre-
vent tires at distance. Near the drug store,
where the danger was more immnent, fren
were at work. At one time the roof OF the
States onion Hotel nearly opposite Perots, was
on fire, but the employees III tue motel suCcee led
in saving the building and preventing any
damage. On the same side with the burning
building it was found impossible to save the
apioiung structures. No. 6l9, O hVe-s'ory
brown sione building, adjoining on the east,
occupied by Knburn Gates, cottage furniture
manufacturers, was destroyed down to the first
story, and the large stock of furniture burned.
No. 623, also five stories, adjoining Onuthe west
side, was destroyed above the third story, and
below that damaged by the water. The build
ing was occupied on the first floor by Sellers &
Brothers, wire cloth and sieve manufacturers,
and above that by William w. Paul, boot and
shoe manufacturer. No. GIT, occupied by Graft
d Jarden, large building, occupied by the
firm as groCers, was damaged by water, as was
also the store No. 6l5, occupied by Il A. Coyle
Il Co. and Coyle, Laughiin Co., wholesale
groceTs. The roof OF No. 625, occupied by
LLOYD, Suplee & Walker, hardware merchants
was destroyed, and the stock on hand damaged
by water. All the buildings were five stories in
height and extended back to Commerce street,
The fire could be seen TOR a great distance aud
drew to the scene an immense crowd of spec
tators. Further particulars will be found on
our outside pages.
p-Wh'e me me 4lGTket street fire was at its height
last evening, au alarm was sounded IRON tue
Union Street Station House, IN the Flith ward.
Companies were detailed by the Chief Engineer
to proceed to that locality. The tire proceeded
from three-story brick dwelling on Cypress
street. above Third, owned by the heirs of tue
late John Il. Child, and occupied as chair
mandatory by Z. b. NoWkirk l. Co. The place
was soon wrecked, the contents being consumed.
The building is partly covered by Insurance.
NeWkirk & Co. will lose S35OO. Insurance, $500.
The establishment is supposed to nave been
fred by an lnCendiary. Just previous TO the
discovery OF the flames strange mau was no.
ticCd by lady residing in the nrighbOrhood to
come out OF the cellar Of the factory, and make
his escape by a side alev into Spruce street.