The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-12-09
A DESTRUCTIVE F1REl
SEVEN BUILDINGS BURNED.
INcENDlAsIsx THE CAUSE.

"N" " oho SOouio abOdCueu 10 0EleT 3 t1Otel,
and within five minutes after the alarm
was given, the whole building was in a
blaze. The flames quickly spread to a
small wooden structure fronting on the
square, owned by the Hackett family and
occupied by A. V. Hombach, worker in
marble. In few minutes more the ad-
joining building owned by Mrs. Virgins,
and occupied by Robert Wright, Photo
grapher, and Jacob Baily, Esq, District
Attorney, was on fire. Great oxertions
were made to pull down small wooden
structure that separated this building from
the large building, also owned by Mrs.
Virgins and occupied by the Adoocate
office, and by G. Showalter, as residence,
while the upper story was fitted up for a
lodge room and occupied by the Odd Eel
lows, Knights of Pythias, &c. But it was
found impossible to stay the flames in that
manner. In the meantime the personal
property was being rapidly removed, and
in half an hour after the alarm was given,
this large building was all on fire. The
flames had by this time extended to the
hotel fronting on Carlisle street, and it was
found impossible 70 save the corner build
ing owned and occupied by DR.. Sweeney,
as Drug Store and residence.
The united exertions of all the earnest
workers was therefore given to prevent the
fire from extending to the bank building
opposite and to keep it from crossing the
alley which separated the hotel property
from the building owned by Mrs. Freder-
icks. Very few believed that it would be
possible to accomplish the latter, and it
was only by superhuman efforts that the
'exertions were crowned with success. The
wall of the hotel building being pebble
dashed aided very much in this effort.
There was scarcely breath of wind stir
ring, but what there was tended to carry
the sparks and flames south east, and sew
eral times the roofs of the houses occupi-
ed by Mrs. Fredericks, Judge Junkin
DR.. Ard, G. II. Smiley, Esq, and George
Snyder, were on fire, which was promptly
quenched by the watchful care of persons
placed OH those residences. 1t was not
till about IL o'clock when the wall on the
south side of the hotel building was pushed
over that all danger of further spread of
the flames was removed.
$4,000, on which he has an insurance in the
Joneston Mutual of So, 900.
Mrs. Wiggfn's loss will be about $4,000,
on which there is no insurance, the policy
having expired few days previous.
Mr.. John II. Sheibley's loss will be about
So, 200, but he has an insurance of 81 200
on his power press.
A. v. Hombach loses about 5000 in mar
BILE which was too heavy to remove.
Mr.. Showalter's loss will be small as
most of his personal property was removed
although he lost about $40 worth of hides
which were in his meat house.
Mr.. Abrams had an insurance in the
Perry Mutual, which will cover any loss he
may have sustained, as most of his stock
was taken out, though somewhat damaged
by removal.
DIR. Sweeney had no insurance on his
personal property, but the most of this was
removed. On his real estate there was an
insurance of $4,000, which he thinks has
expired.
The heat was SO intense that it was only
by wetting carpets and throwing water
continually, that the bank was saved, and
had the fire once got hold ON that build
ing, there is no knowing where the flames
would have been stayed Although it was
so still, pieces of burnt shingles as large as
a mans hand were found over mile from
town the next morning, and in several in
stances were seen to drop while burning
near the Comp School house, one mile
distant.
At the time the fire was discovered no
person belonging on the premises had been
near the stable and the fact that it started
in the hay loft, is proof that it was caused
by an incendiary.
On three previous occasions deliberate
attempt was made to start fro in the
same vicinity, and after the last attempt,
the borough authorities hired watchman
for number of nights to prevent any
repetition of the attempt and If possible to
arrest the guilty person.
But as time passed and no further at
tempts were made, the community were
lulled into security, from which they were
rudely awakened on Friday night. A more
desolate sight can scarcely be imagined
than was presented in Centre Square, at
Sunrise on Saturday. Piles of books, bed