The New York herald., 1876-03-05
LARGE FIRE In PHILADELPHIA.
GOODS HOUSES THE sUFFERERs--FIR
INJURED-rHE INsURANCEs AND LOSSES.


GOODS HOUSES THE sUFFERERs-TIREMEN
TNJURED-THE ASSURANCES AND LOSSES.
PHILADELPHIA, March 4, 1876.
The largest FIRE that has occurred for years in this
city broke out this morning, causing the destruction of
valuable goods the extent OF $780, 000 For some
time feared that 1t would be disastrous con-
agration ms that which recently visited New York, tho
surroundings being of a nature exactly similar and the
inlammables being also the same Happily the dre-
men were able extingush the flames before
than three four large had been de-
molished. The fire Market street, the
ofThird street. in the midst of number oflargc
dry goods and notion houses, which had just laid in
their immense spring stock, which for the
heavy losses.
DISCOVERY.
At about three O'Clock this morning flames seen
issuing from the windows of the large five story double
brick building Nos 800 and 81 Market street. occupied
by Wood Marsh L Co., dry goods importers. The fro
had evidently been burning within the structure Tor
a long time, for wnen the doors were broken open
the whole interior OF the building cracking in
the blaze, which tanned to further fury by the
currents OF air admitted from the street doors
the iiremen and policemen broke them in. IL
that all attempts to save the
building or It's contents were hopeless With all the
endeavors OF the fremen who were early on the
ground, the entire establishment OF Wood Marsh n
Co. rendered wreck. Not piece OF goods
in the house escaped destruction, and tile building it.
OF 1t come down. When IL became apparent that
Nos 800 and 81 could be saved the of the
entire Fire Department turned to adjoining prop
critics, although they had previously received their
share OF the service The Fire Patrol rendered great
assistance In saving property from damage by renov
ing goods to more secure quarters in instances,
and in others by covering them with the waterproof
cloths
The falling of three walls the consid-
cradle excitement during the but fortu-
naely resulted in damage only to property and not TO
lie The building of Wood, Marsh II Co. runs back
235 feet at height OF FIVE stores has width of fifty
feet and It's rear walls tower far above the adjoining
premises. About four O'Clock a portion OF the rear
eastern wall fell in with crash, the most of 1t upon
the roof of No. 3o7, occupied by Garreson, Bakemore
h Co, and the whole went crashing down
through the building carrying whatever crossed its
path until 1t reached the basement
Later IN the morning portion OF the western wall
OF No. 81 ie with another crash into the rear of
No. 3l3 occupied by Behrens Brothers & Dobson, and
caused damages similar 10 that No. 307. At still
later hour about hafpast five o'clock while the fire
still at its height portion OF the wall dividing
the two properties OF Wood Marsh Co. also toppled
and fell in upon the burning sending up volley
OF cnders. and causing those working around 10 move
back with fear.
When the western wall fell in two members of the
Fire Patrol down in the OF Behrens Brothers
& Dobson's store, and the debris down front
Of them and they were hemmed in completely but
not even scratched. II was known where they were
working when the wall fell, and for time II be-
leved that they were buried in the runs Rescuing
parties who hurried to the roof OF No 3l5 saw them
finally below sale and sound but clamoring for assist
ance. Ropes secured and lowered down TO
them, by means OF which they cxtricatcd from
their difficulty
There were many narrow escapes from falling walls
and burning timbers; but two accidents occurred
during the height OF the fire. by which two members
OF the Fire Department were seriously. II not
fatally injured while performing their dangerous duty
like brave men. Hugh McClintock Acting Assistant
Engineer, while working the roof OF No. 3l3
walked oil and Tell Of forty ieet into an open
area below, Injuring himself badly that ho may
probably not recover. The unfortunate was re-
moved to his home, No l, I0S SAMSON street Shortly
Can GRAY rAf pallr 40
the adjoining roof the lett and sustained serious
though not fatal, injuries lie also removed his
home, Queen street, above Second.
1t only alter several hours work that the fire.
obtained sufficient control OF the flames to prevent
them spreading beyond the four buildings injured
For long while 1t was feared that the whole block
would 80.
How where the fire originated Is at present
question, but the impression Is fast gaining ground
that the flames started somewhere in the OF No.
800 where they first volume. The story
crept out that had originated IN a restaurant on
Third street, but there was no foundation for this
belief.
Wood, Marsh n Co are tue heaviest losers Their
buildings, totally destroyed were owned by Of the
insurance the buildings Their stock worth
$3.50 OOO OF which nothing saved. 1t was insured
$1y5, 0U0 ollows-Lancash $l5, 600; Queen,
SIS, 600; PhGnix $4,000; Delaware Mutual, $4,000;
North America, $4,000; Ktna, $4,000; Gcrman-
American, $l0,0O0 Imperial SlO,0Oo Niagara, $1,000;
Hanover $40 OO0 Home, $4,000; American. $40, 900;
state Pennsylvania $4,000; Pennsylvania $40 UO0;
Franklin, $40 600; London Assurance, $4,000; Spring
held, $4,000; North British, S., 900; Continental,
So coo: FIRE Association, $4,000
Garrctson Blackmore Co. who occupied No. 30T
Market street, we're the next heaviest losers Their
entire loss the building and contents viii reach
500 600, three-iourths OF which is ON stock.
The building and stock were insured for $l25 600 di
vided up among the Royal, Liverpool, London and
Globe, London Assurance; North american. Delaware,
FIRE Insurance OF Philadelphia, Fame, Queen OF Liver
pool, Girard of Philadelphia and other companies,
with policies OF about SlO, 900 in each The principal
companies are as tollows:-soysi, 900; Liverpool
and London, $40 Geo; Queen, $lO 900; London Assur
ance $40 600: American, SO 600; Delaware Mutual.
$40 900; Fire Association, $40 coo; Girard $4,000;
French Corporation, - 900; PANE 35, 600; Bangor,
$4,000; weschester. s1OOO sun, $4,000; spring Car
den, $4,000
Behrens Brothers X D0bson, notions, No. 313 Market
street. about SIS, ,00O insured.
sitter Price & Co, bleachcd and linen goods IS 600
Betim Gerhard, booksellers, No 305 Market street.
about 81, 600 or So, 600.
3 A. Cassidy dry goods, No 303 Marke. street;
Storchs restaurant No. llS North rnrd street; Wal
lace NJ. Smiths clock store, and other places were
slightly damaged.