The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-02-14
A BIG BLAZE.
Talbott's Block Almost Destroyed
A Loss of from $50 900 to s35, OOO-Partia.
ly Covered by Insurance.

The corner of Markerand Pennsylvania
streets was the scene of a destructive con-
flagrstion Tuesday morning few min
utes before six o'clock John koppen, of
the Journal office, discovered smoke and
flames issuing from the fourth story win
dows of the Talbot block, and immedi-
ately turned in an alarm from box No. !.
Nos. and engine companies, and No.
hose reel, and No. II hook and ladder
company responded promptly to the call
The fact that several persons occupied
sleeping rooms in the building caused con-
siderable anxiety and excitement for a
time; but all were awakened and made
their escape. There was considerable de-
Law upon the part of the fire department
in getting water upon the fire, the first
effectual stream not being thrown till 80
minutes after the first alarm. However,
the density of the smoke in the fourth
story prevented the firemen from getting
water on the fire till holes in the roof and
windows could be made. Soon after the
firemen succeeded in doing this, and five
streams were pouring upon the flames. A
large water main on the corner OF South
and Pennsylvania streets burst, and this
stopped the Water Works supply entirely
for time. The hose was then connected
with the fire engines, and second alarm
called out No. and No. 10 engines, and
No. 6 hose reel. The fire was well man.
aged after this, and was soon under con-
troll Some severe criticisms were made
upon members of the department by some
of the bystanders; but many who watched
the workings of the tiremen from the first,
praise the chief and men for their work;
the fire having gotten under such head
way before discovered
The flames ragged furiously for more than
an hour; but the streams poured upon it
from the roofs of adjoining buildings and
the windows placed it under perfect con-
troll of the fremen by 1880 o'clock. By
this time the flames had completely de-
wasted the rooms occupied by the Indiana
Medical College, and those occupied by
the different Lodges of the Knights OF
Pythias, and the sleeping apartments of a
number of persons, all on the third and
fourth floors.
As to the origin of the fire there is quite
a difference of opinion; but the persons
who first arrived at the fire are OF the opin-
lon that IL nad It's origin III the uisSectiHS
rooms of the Medical College, as the
flames were first seen in that quarter of
the building.
Officer Clark was the first person in the
building, and upon going to the dissectlnng
rooms Of the Medical College, he could
hear the ''stiffs" frying, and the fumes
that issued from the rooms almost over
powered him.
The loss Of the Medical College is esli-
mated at about 81 900, in apparatus, fur
niture and library; $1,000 insurance was
carried upon this. Oliver Wright, the
colored ianitor, sustained loss OF goods
to the amount OF 500, with no insurance.
The Knights of Pythias lost their lodge
records and furniture to the estimated
amount of $4,000, with $1,000 insurance
on the whole. All the occupants on the
lower floors sustained losses either by fire
or water.
The loss upon the building is estimated
at from $4,000 to $4,000, and is fully
covered by insurance. The work of re
moving the debris from the ruins has
already begun, and it will be immedi-
ately repaired.