Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-08-24

| few minutes before o clock this morning
| the night Waterman at P. d. Kelly l. Co.'S ex-
tensive Wholesale grocery house discovered
the reflection of fire in the of the four story
building occupied rs wholesale
paper warehouse by Averill, Russell & Carpen-
| ter, No. $50 East Third street. At the same
| time Officer DeCoursey detected the smell of
! smoke in the front part of the building, and
an alarm of fire was at once turned in from
box No. "a, calling out the entire department.
A GLOBE reporter, at 2:l5 o'clock, assembled
to the third story of the building, where
fierce fire was raging in the hatchwsy of the
elevator. and few feet from the mansard roof,
the under side of which was
The department got down to business, but a
mistake was evidently made in not directing
the stream at first to the rear part of the
building. tet s.t
Gen. Averill, the senior partner of the firm,
was early on hand, but owing to the absence
of the underwriters, none of whom appeared
until the fire had gotten full sway of the build
ing, no effort was made TO save the stock.
The fire gained Roadway with inconceivable
rapidity. at 8 o'clock the flames first burst
through the mansard roof in the front part of
the building, and it became apparent that all
efforts to save the structure would be futile.
Five minutes afterwards shaft of fire shot
through the upper windows almost across the
street. At S:l5 o'clock the top of the structure
was envelopeG in flames and the situation
looked hopeless. In the meantime, the fire
had communicated to the wholesale grocery
establishment OF 2. 81. Kelly & Co., and bsn-
ner of lurid flames which shot skyward signi.
fed that the magnificent structure was doomed.
The infammable character of the contents of
both buildings fed the flames with the rapid
ty of punk and the awful grandeur Of the
scene made spectacle as magnif-
cent as it was appalling.
The scene presented in the offices of P. II.
Kelly & Co., aud Averill, Russell & Carpenter
was ons of intense commosion and activity.
The responsible agents of both firms were busy
in removing valuable books and papers, in
which they were assisted by friendly by
ISLANDERS.
Owing to the early hour hut comparatively
few spectators were present. The extensive
nature of the catastrophe was freely canvassed
however, and on every side was to be heard ex-
pressions of regret at tie immense drawback
the crippling of two such extensive business
houses would have on the commercial interests
of st. Paul.
There was fire wall between the buildings
occupied by Averill & Co.. and Kelly, but
when the fire reached the mansard roof it was
above the wall, and the flames ran almost like
rocket across the top of both buildings. In
less than an hour after this, Kelly's building
was level with the street. a
FALL OF THE WALLS.
At o'clock a. III. the walls Of the Kelly
building on the Third street front fell in with
a crash, and in few minutes thereafter those
on the Sibley street side went down mass of
ruins. Fortunately the Intense heat had driven
both spectators and fremen outside the limits
of their fall and but one was injured. As soon
Rs these walls fell the inhammable matter
which had fallen from the fourth story down
through al The other hoors, burst out with in
tense heat. The lurid flames seemed to pierce
the heavens, and lighted up the streets
for blocks away with more than MONDAY
brightness. Thus far the large block occupied
by Beaupre, Allen & Keogh had escaped, but
the unspent flames created q heat which was
furnace-like in intensity. Then
began the struggle of the
FIRE department to save this fine block. Had
the flames once crossed the street not only
that but the establishment of Auerbscb, Finch,
Culber! son g. Co. would have shared the fate of
the Kelly block.
Several times the roof of the building vas on
fire, but as often well-directed streams OF water
quenched the flames. At this time the scene
presented was one Of the most thrilling inter
est The spectators held their breath in an
agony of suspense. Should the fire once OBJ
tain Roadway in the block there was
no telling where its destructive
course would be stayed. No sooner did the
flames appear than stream of water suppress
ed them and great sigh of relief went Up from
the multitude. For over half hour the strug-
gle went on,and finally the firemen won and the
building was out of danger. Uo
Unfortunately no one could be, found who
knew the combination of Keliy's vault door.
Messengers were sent for several employees who
could open it, but before the first one arrived
the wall had fallen. The contents of the vault
may or may not be safe. Ill of the books and
papers outside were saved. iia 500
Mr.. P. Fl. Kelly has been absent in New
York for ten days aud it is possible that he
started home last night.
AvERILL & cos INSURANCE.
North British & Mercantile, London. 3 5000