Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-11-18
LOCAL NEWS.

F1RE.-The alarm of fire about half-past
eleven o'clock last night was caused by the
burning of the junk store of j. Dreifus & Co.,
on the northeast corner Of the intersection of
King and Lee streets. The Hydraulion and
Columbia Steam Fire Company, the Suu-a
hand engine, and the Relief Hook and Ladder
Company were speedily on the ground, and at
work, aud owing to their strenerous and
we'll directed efforts, notwithstanding the in
fammable character of the cootents of
the house, the flames were confined TO chiefly
the building 10 which they originated.
The building belonged to Burke & Herbert,
and is insured for 50, 500 in the Alexandria Fire
Insurance Co., and the same amount 10 the
Seabord Company of Norfolk. The front of
the lower floor was occupied by 5. Burnhelm
as second hand clothing store, the stock
in which was insured for $4,000, $500 of
which is in the Lynchburg Insurance Com
pany. Most of this stock was saved.
The remaining portion of the building was oc-
cupied by j. Dreifus & Go. as junk store,
the stock in which was insured for 81 900 in
the Virginia Home Co., of Richmond, and
the City Fire Co., of the same city. The adjoin-
ing building, owned and occupied by Beck
ham, Deiaplaine & Co., was slightly Injured.
1t is Insured for 81, 500 10 the Alexandria In
London, Liverpool & Globe Co. The stock of
grain and -four it contained, which was also
Slightly damaged. was insured for $1,000 in
the Virginia Fire & Marine Go. of Richmond,
and for the same amount 10 the Citizens Com
pany of Newark The third story of the build
ing was occupied by Mr.. Chas. Taylor, jr., as a
broom factory, the stock in which was partially
injured but is insured for $500 10 the Alexan-
dria Company.
Officer Crump, of the police force, was the
first one to discover the fire, and when, with
slight push he forced open the front door,
and went into the back room, be found barrel
full of rags and old rope Oh fire, which burst
open almost Immediately -and the flames com
municating with furs and hides hanging on the
ceiling above. the whole interior of the room,
was soon 10 light blaze.
The amount of the insurance being. as some
say, greatly 10 excess of the loss suspicion
this morning was directed to some of the
occupants of the burnt building as the
inceudiaries, and Charles Goerdel, canvasser
for Drfus & Co., and Hirman Hochstetter,
clerk for S. Burnheim we're arrested, but upon
examination by the Mayor were Immediately
discharged as not one particle OF evidence was
enduced that would criminate them.
After the fire was extinguished, Fireman
Banner T. Young of the Hydraulion Company,
who was left with plug hose to keep the EN-.
bers from rekndling, accidentally fell from
window through the floor Of the second story to
the ground floor and was badly, though not
seriously injured.
Notwithstanding the inhamable character of
the material in the burnt building and the
rapidity with which the flames spread, by the
skill and energy of the Fire Department, di
rected by the Chief Eogineer and his aids, 10
Que hour after the alarm, the fire was under
control and it's further spread prevented.
At half past two o'clock this afternoon an
alarm was sounded for the purpose of calling
out the Relief Hook aud Ladder Company to
pull down the rear wall of the burnt building,
which was found TO be in a shaky condition,
and which work was done in short order.