Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1881-05-06
Dnt nmcient ssrvios and Prompt
Action Prevented q General and. 8
Serious Oounagration.
The r,ossI limited 10 / Few Hundred
Dolaass-No lnsarsaoe-Oity
records @ahe.
A Few Sparks Caught on the Fly
by q Tribune Reporter-A
Detailed Report,
A CRY Of Fire.

Shortly before the midnight hour the
large audience at the Opera House and
the few persons gathered upon the street
corners were startled by wild cry of fire,
which was eagerly caught up and repeated
until the very air rcverberated with the
unwelcomc shout. No box alarm being
sounded from the bell, all naturally ran
toward the City Hall and engine house,
and were at once surprised and dishesrt.
ened when it was discovered that the fire
had originated in the department: head
quarters, and
HAD GAINED GREAT HEADwAY
before being discovered. A strong breeze
was blowing from the west, and those first
at the scene found the interior of the en-
CINE house filled with solid sheet OF
flame that in half moment began to dart
out the doorway and windows, catching
eagerly at the stairway, the upper floor
and the dry frame sides of the second
story and adjoining buildings. 1t at first
seemed perfectly apparent that the en-
glnes and entire property OF the fire
department must burn and that the city
would be lettentirely
AT THE MERCY OF TIE FLAMES.
That such was not the case IS wholly due
to the heroric action of few men and the
unusually. efficient work of the members
of the fire department. Strangers and oil
fireman present state that they never saw
cooler or more prompt and effective work
done. The first few that arrived hesitat-
ed to enter the burning room, but finally
two brave men made dash and secured
q rope by which the engine was hauled
out. Thisaccomplished, work began in
earnest, two streams from the chemical
engine being directed I'
AGAINST THE Kissing FLAMES
quicker than the sentence can be written.
Bystande Is said itwou]d be OF no avail!
and all began at once to remove the goods.
from the grocery of John Boyle, next All :
joining. This, however, contrary to all
expectations, proved unnecessary, the fire
being entirely subdued within ten mini
utcs of the time of the first outbreak. \
careful examination then showed that the
fire had undoubtedly originated from
THE EXPLOSION OF 4 LAMP
that had been left burning by the night
watchm an. Eight rubber suits, few
caps, and five buckets owned by the COM
pany wer found To have been destroyed,
and the int erior OF the building, both ui'
and down stairs, was badly charrcd The.
loss to the company will he about $l2I,
and to the city $3.50 to 5000, on wn'rh
there is no insurance.
JUSTICE HARE INTERVIEWED.
It being rumored that someof the city
l-o, <1, e., in If,fI Iy:,il
drawer ofa table in the upstairs hall h;id
been burned, Il TRIBUNE reporter lmn:-
diately hunted down Justice Hare tor tue
purpose Of ascc,taining the truth, For
tunately the rumor proved to be Il 1;i's',
one, Mr.. Hare having just made a personal
examination, and reported the Hiding :"
everything of value unharmed.
SPARKS FROM THE FIRE.
The city records will smell of smoke
The rubber suits that were destroyed
cost $l2 each.
Th city should reimburse the boys for
their personal loss.
Good luck and efficient service was all
that saved the city.
Give the tiremen credit for saving '.t
city. They have done it before.
Cliff Brothers and soldier first dlscoE-
cred the fire and gave the alarm.
The building is owned bv the city, and
has brick walls below, with tra'ne up
per story.
Jerry Sullivan, one of the brave ones,
in some unknown manner received hat
cash OH his bare arm. r-
John Boyle suffered a loss Of from W. ;.
to $50 from the miscellaneous dumping OF
his goods into the street.