The New York herald., 1875-07-16
DISASTROUS FIRE.
DESTRUCTION OF THE POST OFFICE AND

DESTRUCTION OF THE POST OFFICE AND
BUSINESS BLOCK IN DUNEILEN, n. ].
The little village OF Duneen, which lies about
four miles southwest from PlalnheId N. J., was
visited by a very serious connaRratlon on wednes-
day night. causing the destruction OF the prin-
cipal block OF stores in the place. Had ir not
been that the night was calm and no breeze
stirring all the main portion OF the town must
have been destroyed.
1t seems that between ten and eleven O'Clock
on Wednesday night nre was discovered in an
OLD shed At the rear OF the building owned by
Postmaster c. ). Pope, and located on Nortn
street, directly opposite what is known the
Main station. II was but few mo nents before
the shanty was In flames. These Immediately
communicated TO the Post once Building also
occupied by Mr.. Pope as a grocery store. The
villagers were soon aroused, and every enort made
To arrest the progress OF the dames, but owing TO
there being no 1re apparatus IN the town. and
except from u little crook no water could be ob-
talned the names mace rapid headway and COM
municaied TO two adjoining frame buildings
which were soon on IRE. The buildings were ali
occupied on the lower fioors by merchants. The
citizens seeing that all efforts save the blazing
buildings would prove useless, turned their atten-
eral stores. TeleRraphic messages were sent TO
Plainffed and Elizabeth City, and exaggerated re-
ports went the rounds that the town OF Dunellen
was soon TO be wholly IN ashes.
Cblef Engineer John Chandler. OF the Plainhed
Department.. Immediately started for he scene or
connagration. aud despatched steam Engine COM
pany No. and Hook and Ladder Company No. /.
which arrived, after four-mile run Just in time
TO oner sufficient service 10 arrest the turther
progress OF the hre. They certainly ceServe great
credit Ior the prompt and laborous efforts they
made In reaching Duneen. having a
rough road TO pun their apparatus over.
Not vestage OF the buildings
left, ana the citizens now see the importance or
having truck company with buckets on haud.
In case OF another IRE. Had they possessed them
the fire could have been extlnguisned at the out
set. All the mail DAYS that we're the Post ONCE
were destroyed, and Mr.. Pope VINO occupied and
owned the BUILDING estimates his loss at $40, ,000
he Is insured Tor $4,000 In the Washington In
surance Company OF Plaindeld, ano the Jersey
City Insurance Company OF Jersey city.
Two adjoining buildings, owned by James Y. Will
son. carpenter, were destroyed. HIS loss Is esti-
mated at $4,000 and Is insured for SS 500 In the
Germsnla Insurance and other companies.
The first noor OF one OF the buildings was used
by James Philips, furnishing goods and boots and
snoes HIS loss will reach ABOUT 81, 900. Mr.. Will
son occupied the upper part. and lost about $500
on furniture. Mr. Meyers occupied the
adjoining premises. His loss VIII be about
the same. but he was not insured. Another bulld-
lug, owned by Mr.. wilson and occupied by j. H.
Dunn as u nour and iced store, was destroyed |;
also the premises occupied on the corner by p.
w. Brakeley as drug store. Mr.. Dunns loss
Will amount to about $500; no insurance. Mr..
Brakeley's loss VIII be about S4C0; no insurance
MOST OF the latter's stock was saved. steps will
be taken Immediately 10 rebuild the square.