Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-26
SIX NEW HOUSES DESTROYED
8KFIRE.
A Strong Wind and a Scarcity OF
Water-A Scene Of Confusions

Savannah was Yesterday, for the first time
in many weeks, visited by 9 destructive
eonhsgstion, which has entailed loss upon
q number Of worthy people. About quar-
Ter past two O'Clock Policeman Floyd, on
duty At the Park, had bis atten-
ton attracted 70 cloud OF
smoke 70 the southeast OF the hospital,
and WAS notified that 3 house on Mercer
street near Hall was on IRE DE lmme-
diately fastened 20 the corner OF Bull and
Gaston streets and turned IN an alarm from
sfsfiou 81. The fremen were out promptly
1itb tbeir apparatus, and on reaching the
dfstsut scene found that the IRE was
hunfng fercely, and that the en-
tf-e neighborhood was complete
" demorslized, and presented
scene % confusion. The fire was discover
"a 70 be iu . row OF three tenements on
Mercer street, Just north OF Hall, owned By
Mr.. Wm- Dunn, consisting OF three houses
occupied BY white persons A strong north
east wind was blowing at the time, and the
flames spread with fearful rspiditT, and eX-
tended 70 two houses belonging 70 Mr.. VIM.
BOuhzn across the lane, which were also
quickly enveloped IN the fiery en-
brace. The department, under
acting Chief Adolph Fernandez
were soon a. work, but experienced great
OF the scarcity OF water, there being only
two plugs in the vicinity, and one Of them
vas out Of order. The heat from the burn
ing building was intense, and the fierce
wind famed the flames into lurid bright
ness and sent vhizzing In every direction
immense sparks and burning shingles, some
being carried several hundred yards.
The frame house Of Henry Smith, worthy
eolored carpenter, adjoining the tenements
OF Mr.. BOuhan, also caught fire, and to-
gether with the other FIVE buildings was
completely destroyed.
The large double frame store and dwelling
corner Of Price and Hall streets, belonging
to the estate Of Reilly, was damaged By fire
and water. The department worked
srduously, aud managed 70 save the
buildings Of Nj. Bzrbee, on the
which caught fire several times, and also
the numerous frames on Price street,
which were at one time threatened. The
occupants Of all these houses, apprehending
danger, moved their effects into the street,
and goods Of every description were piled
up all along the common in the vicinity
The occupants Of the houses destroyed
but suffered considerable loss in
damage unavoidable under the
circumstances. The fire originated, it
is stated, in theuorthern tenement, and was
caused from some burning wood dropping
from the stove on the floor. The door was
open and the wind famed up lively fire,
and the occupant, who had stepped over TO
9 neigh boris for a few minutes, on her re
turn found the room in flames.
The houses destroyed were comparatively
new, having only been finished few weeks.
They were on the site Of the destructive fire
Of two years ago, when tTenty-eight houses
were burned down
During the height Of the fire It was dis
covered that frame house On the corner Of
Lincoln and Gwinnett streets, at least five
hundred yards from the burning buildings,
was on FIRE, q large spark having fallen on
the roof and ignited the old shingles. 1t
burned quite briskly for q while, and
appearances indicated that it would be
destroyed. Owing TO the faithful efforts OF
some firemen and citizens It was saved, the
OHly damage being a large hole burned in
the roof. This house belonged to Mr..
Waring Russell, and was insured in a com
pany represented by Captain John T. Whea-
ton, and was occupied by John Creek,
Waterman at the jail.
Messrs. T. II. Harden & Co. had some in
surance On the property destroyed, but to
what amount could not be sscertsined.
Captain Wheaton had also about q, 800 in
surance IN all, including the property be-
longing TO the Reilly estate.
Henry Smith, who was burned out on the
occasion OF the former fire and was then in
sured, had TO insurance this time, and his
house and considerable of the contents are
q total loss.
1t was rumored that young child, who
was asleep in one Of the houses when the
FIRE occurred, bad been forgotten in the
confusion, and was burned to death. This
report was afterwards cOntradicted, and
was found to be the result Of excited ina
ginstion on the part Of some one.