The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-06-02

CWeeQ ) Uuu 4 OCtoSh y0SsSAe"'
morning, a destructive fire broke out Ia q row Of
wooden DIV ceilings OH the south side OF Spring
street. near The corner OF Norman, which, Dut lot
| the rain prevailing at the time, would prooaoly
have swept through to Gadsden's Green. Inc nre
originated IN the house OF John Livingstone
which being built OF wood, burnt freely, ana
speedtly communicated the flames to the adJoln'
inc d wellinys. As soon az the alarm was given
the engines we're all promptly out; but, owing tc
| the hard pulling through the sandy streets to the
scene OF the fire, and the long interval which
elapsed from the breaking out OF the names 10
the sounding OF the bells, one house was almost
totally consumed. and two Others were burning
fercely before they arrived on The spot. the
Marion steam and the Niagara hand engines
were early OIL the ground, aud commenced to play
upon the lanes The Others, however, soon ar
rived, and the men went to work with the energy
and determination which characterlzes our VOL
unteer fire department. The wind shifted, aud
showers OF sparks and large embers were olown
across the street 10 the wooden store anu resi-
dence at the northeast corner Of Norman and
Spring streets. This building was speedily igni'
ted, and the flames ragged with unexampled fury.
The he.t aud blaze were now tremendous, anu
the rushing sound OF the flames could be heard az
a great distance. The hremen were in their ele'
ment, howeve:, and while battling with the burn
inp houses. STEADY streams OF water were thrown
on the contig sous buildings to prevent the lur'
Their spreal Of the devastating element. Their
uuceasin2 efforts were at last croWned with sue
cess, and the giant dame gradually succumoed.
BY half past s thedre was entirely suodued, anu
after playing o short while upon the smoking
ruius. the engines left the scene Of destruction.
The loss Is rs follows:
The two story wooden dwelling house belong
inv to F. Lofts, considerably damaged, but saved
from destruction by the Ell jrts OF the engines.
The TWO ani q half story wooden dwelling
house, with brick basement, belonging to Died.
rick Stoecken, entirely destroyed.
The two adjoining houses OF the same size and
build as the above, the property OF John Ltvings'
tone, the ~frultGrer, and of-,Cruger respective
", bJth totally destroyed.
The two story wooden residence on the north
east corner Of Norman and Spring streets, the
lower STORY being used as . store, tue property OF
Anthony Hernholm, entirely destroyed, with
stock and store.
The dwelling adj Dining the above, In Spring
street, belonging to waterman, was also con-
siderably damaged by the flames.
Owing to some fault, which we learn will be
inquired into, The bell did not ring until some
twenty minutes after the alarm had been given,
and hence the great spread Of the fire before the
engines c uld I've brought out. The three houses
on Spring stree; were all In a blaze, and the middle
one almost consumed before any EFFORT could be
made to arrest the PROCESS OF the flames. The
rain, which fell at intervals, 10 heavy showers,
proved Of great assistance to the efforts OF the
enginesln keeping the nelghborlrg houses wet,
and so less easily to be iguited. Az the hou ses In
this vicinity are all built OF wood, this circum.
stance was specially fortunate.
This fire plainly demonstrates the necessity OF
a plank road IN that portion Of the city, and the
want Of it was painfully experienced by the fire.
men, who, after running a long distance, were
compelled to drag their heavy engines through
streets covered with several inches OF sand.
The orlgla OF the 6re has not yet been satisfac.
torily explained, but it is believed to have been
the work Of an lncendiary. A colored woman
named Gus Stocum, who was sept awake by sick.
| ness In her family, and resides 10 q tenement
| house just 10 the rear OF the building where the
fire broke out, says that, @ little before 8 O'Clock
in the mornlag, she saw o negro man jumping
over the fence ia the rear OF Llvingstone's house,
and o short lime a!terward the lire was seen
The matter will be thoroughly investigated.
The INSURANCE. on the property destroyed is but
partial, and for the following amounts:
Gu the house owned by Stoecken 5000, In Messrs
Colburn & How.ll's agency.
On that of Hemholn, $1,000 on the building, in
Messrs. ". B. Hariot & Co.'S agency. Nothing OIL
the stock In the store.
On the house owned by Livingstone, $500, ii
MIR. J. L. Hon ,ur's agency.