The New York herald., 1877-01-14
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN SCRANTON.
DESTRUCTION OF VALUABLE BUSINESS
BLocK-EsrIMATED LOSS 500, 900.

DESTRUCTION OF VALUABLE BUSINESS
BLocK-EsrIMATED LOSS 500, 000
SCRANTON. Pa. Jan. l3, 1871
fierce nre broke out In this city at four O'Clock
TINS morning in block OF buildings located on LacEa-
wanna avenue and known as Exchange block. The
names were at nrst discovered IN tho bookstore OF
Pryor Thompson by couple Of miners going TO
work, who gave an alarm, and shortly atterward the
nrs burst through the OF the buildings and made
It's way to the upper stories until shot through the
roof raining shower OF sparks the adjoining prop
ersy and producing the most intense excitement by
reason OF its threatening nature.
LAcKAwASSA AVENUE ON FIRE.
The city was soon astr, and the cry. ''Lackawanna
avonue 10 on hrs!" was quickly caught up until It
brought thousands OF excited people to Tho
spread Of The flames was rapd and their progress de-
structive, and by the the fire companies with
their engines arrived the ground It seemed as If
human effort could stem the connagration until the
entire block should be laid in ashes little to the
east OF the blaze stood the First Presbyterian church.
which was In imminent danger and Tor which goou
deal OF alarm was iclt The Wyoming House hotel, on
the west, II was also feared would fall prey to the
work OF devastation.
The crash Ct the second floors of the barnng ouid-
ings. which about ten safes located,
MS heir heavy burdens broke through, and the re-
peaed loud reports oi exploding powder In the Office
OF The Moosic Powder Company heightened the effect
Of the picture, and feared would bring down the
warped walls on the heads OF the devoted volunteer
hremen VINO worked perseverngly, fighting the nre
from the roofs OF the neighborng houses until they
got II under entire control
Exchange block, which Is entirely gutted by the
flames, WAS handsome brick structure, built about
seven wears ago, and owned by Alfred Hand, Edward
Spepscr and James rair. 1t was worth about 500 600,
and consisted OF stores and law Offices Gu the first
floor located Pryor a. Thompsons bookstore.
stock and nxLurcs valued at $4,000 total loss. in
sured tor $4,000; Coursen 4 Co.'s grocery store,
stock valued at 00O total loss, insured Tor So 000
Miss Cushman's millinery store, valued at 5000,
insured Tor Sl00 900. total loss
On the second floor was located the law Office
OF Hand II Post whose library and pictures valued
ut $4,000, are total loss Their insurance is
about IS 900. The law offices Of H. B Sturges. A.
Chamberin and the rooms OF the Law aud Library
Association also located this floor Also The
office OF tho Moosic Powder Company, the library and
reading rooms Of tho Young Mems Christian Associa.
ton, containing 900 volumes OF the choicest books
The third hoor used the Young Mems Christian
Association Hall All was lost The adjoining build
ings owned by Judge Handley ana 4. A. ParrOt were
damaged considerably and the total loss will exceed
100000.
FROZEN HyDRANTS AND MUNICIPAL TROUBLES.
A considerable delay was experienced trying to get
the blazing buildings owing 10 tho TACT oil the
IRE plugs being frozen, and IN the attempt several Of
the plugs were broken. The alarm OF the citizens on
learning Of the fire helghten by the TACT that
last week, owing TO dispute with the city Council,
four OF tho nve volunteer companies withdrew from
active service, and II was feared the town would be
surrendered to the mercy OF the flames. One of he
companies however, to its credit be II sad-the Crys
tai Hose, No. 4-forgot all dispute with the city au-
thoritiss and bravey rushed TO the Of danger
rendering efficient ad 10 the Nayang, which was the
only company In tho dcpai tment when the hre was
discovered.
stands In the most conspicuous portion OF our prn-
clpal avenue and II makes sad gap in II. The walls
BADLY warped and should bc taken down
possible The origin of the fire still remains u
mystery, although is thought TO be the work OF
incendiary