Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-03-25
Destructive Fire.
J. TURNER wEsr's GRAIN, HAY AND FED Es.
TABIIsHMENT BuRNED-THR ADJOINING
PROPERTY DAMAGED.

TABLfsHMENT BURNED-THH ADJOINING
PROPERTY DANAoED.
About o'clock last evening fire was discov
cred in the grain, hay and feed establishment oc-
cupied by j. Turner West, At No. lOe W. Front |
street. The alarm was promptly given, and in
short time the Fire Department was in service, |
each company working manfuily to subdue and
prevent the spread OF the flames.
In the building was stored, ut the time, . large
quantity Of tightly y-baled hay and straw, besides
lot Of grain, feed. farming implements. and
other infiammabe material All these burned
persistently. and for long time the fire bszed
and smoked, despite the utmost exertions OF the
tlremen to subdue 1t. The fire originated and
prevailed most ercsly in the centre Of the build
lug, location very difficult for the tiremen to get
access to- but alter several efforts, they got upon
the roof and by cutting holes therein were ena-
bed to bring the water TO bear directly upon the
flames This had the desired effect, and aided by
we'll directed streams through the front and rear
windows, kept the flames confined to the build
| ing In which they originated. Their efforts to
this effect were materially aided BY the absence
of the high wind which prevailed through the
| day and by the felt roof on the building, which
prevented the flames from easily burning through
But the fire in the baled hay aud straw stubborn
ly resisted all efforts at extingushment, and they
snouldered until late the next morning.
| The fiiemen worked bravely, and clambercd
about ths burning building in various dangerous
positions, in their efforts to subdue the flames
Several of them We're slightly injured by falling,
and one of them-Robert Chambers-fell through
| n hatchway from the second to the first hoor, and
was severely stunned and bruised.
The contents OF the building were nearly all
destroyed and damaged. few bales Of hay a
carriage grain fan, the safe, and several other ar
ticles were saved, but the major portion OF the
grain, hay, straw and feed, was destroyed by fire
or damaged by the water to such IN extent as to
be almost worthless.
The building, which is owned by Mr.. Philip
Plunkett, was also considerably damaged by the
n water, and by the breaking Of the roof, windows
and walls which was necessary In order to bring
, the water to bear upon the flames. Mr.. West
, loss upon his stock will amount TO about 5000
, on which there is an insurance OF ST. 600. MIR
| Plunketts loss on the building is about $1,000
fully covered by insurance.
The adjoining buildings were also Considerably
damaged. The one On the left is also owned b,
Philip Plunkett and occupied by VIM. Magee,
tobacconst. The damage 10 the building vii
q amount TO about 500; the damage to Mr. Magee'
4 stock and household goods will probably reach
n like amount.
a The "Sorrel Horse Hotel" kept by Mr.. Henr
Bradley, and owned by Mr.. Plunkett, Oh the let
was also somewhat damaged. The firemen wer
Y compelled to come through the yard and drag Il
>. hose over the hotel kitchen, which, of ceurs
u could not be done without damage. The loss he
d will probably not exceed 5000.
" The fremen deserve considerable credit for the
u prompt and laborious exertions. They work,
1t incessanty until after 10 o'clock, and kept plI
stream on tue burning hay and straw until u
morning.
I'll This morning, as the hay In the building st
ei burned, it was found necessary to pitch 1t IN
" the street in order to extinguish it.
d, The origin OF the fire, at present, Is involved
"a mystery.