Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-07

GEORGE RYNEALs PAINT AND OIL STORE PARTIALLY
DEsTRovED-DAMAGEs TO THE ADJOINING EsrAB-
LIsHMENT OF Mr.. BAUN-INCIpENrs OF TIE FIRE.
About half-past eleven O'Clock this morning fire
was discovered in the cellar under Geo. Ryneal,
jrs paint, Oil and glass store, No. 41s 7th street
In very few minutes the flames had made their
way to the upper part OF the store, and the whole
building Was filled with such impenetrable smoke
that 1t was almost impossible to make an entrance.
The neighboring building on the south, No. 416,
occupied by Mr.. G. Baum, was soon filled with
smoke also, and seemed to be in danger OF destruc-
ton. An alarm, struck on the bells almost imme-
diately upon discovery Of the fire. brought the re
OF people, who filled all the adjoining streets
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
Neither Mr.. Ryneal nor Mr. Baum were present
when the fire broke out According to the state
ments OF the clerks in RyneaI's store made to
STAR reporter, the discovery OF fire was made by
colored boy, who was sent TO the cellar. He came
rushing up stairs, crying that the cellar was on
nbe Ere wa was Is, seen running along the oor OF
ual effort to extinguish it, getting their hair and
whiskers well singed in the effort, rushed out and
caused by an explosion among the oils and chemi-
Gals in the cellar.
RAPID SPREAD OF THE FLAMEa
There was so much inflammable material to feed
1t that it made remarkably rapid headway. 1t
rushed to the upper stories through the rear OF the
from the upper windows On tn. upper story was
stored stock OF glassware packed I'm straw, and
the straw made the smoke heavy and black Mr..
Baum's building adjoining was soon smokingalmost
as much as Ryneal's. and the smoke did great dam
age to the fabrics and delicate goods, with which
the building is filled.
TWO HANDSOME BUILDINGS.
These two buildings, which were among the
handsomest In the city, were built about three
years ago, that built by Mr.. Baum costing about
5000 and that by Mr. Ryneal about $4,000 Mr.
Ryneal owns his property. The lot on which Mr.
Baum'S building stands is owned by Mrs Eichler.
OF Richmond, Va. The buildings on the north
side of Ryneal's were recently torn down to make
room for a new building to be erected by Lansburgh
Bros
THE FIRE CONFINED 10 RYNEALs BUILDING-Loss
ABOUT $1,000
By one O'Clock the fire was under complete con-
troll, t.havfng been confined to the Ryneal build
ing. Mr.. Ryneal was out of the city this after
noon, and was not present to see the destruction
OF his property. His brother stated to STAR re-
porter that the loss would be fully $4,000. This
estimate agreed with hasty estimates made by the
was insured for S. 900 in the National Union and
$2,5O0 in the Franklin companies, while the stock
was insured In companies represented by Mr.. A.
S. Pratt, in an amount which it is thought win
cover the damage.
Mr. BAUM's LOSS
Mr.. Baum, who was absent in Baltimore, was
summoned by telegraph, and was expected tc ar
rive home this afternoon. The upper story OF his
UullQing Is uSeQ as q SC0ck room, and was well
filled with goods. His loss Is from smoke and
water, and will be hard to estimate until a COM
plete examination is made. He is insured.
A STORY WAS STARTED
on 7th street during the fire that it originated in
the explosion OF a lamp carried to the cellar by
the colored boy. The employees about the store
state that the boy carried q lantern with him
when he went to the cellar, and had IL In his
hands In good condition when he returned.
THE LOSSES AND INSURANCE.
Mr. George Ryneal, tr., upon his return to the
city this afternoon, stated to STAR reporter that
he was as yet unable to estimate his damages. He
carried insurance OF S 600 his stock In COM
paDieS represented by Mr. A. 6. Pratt and s. 500 I'm
the Franklin Insurance Company. Insurance men
say that MI. Baum had permission to carry $55, 600
insurance on his stock and they believe he is In
Sured to nearly that amount Among the compa-
western, OF Milwaukee; National, OF New York;
Queen, OF England: Phenx, OF New York, and
North American, OF Philadeiphia-each for q, ,000
INCIDENTS
During the fire there were constant alarms
among the spectators on account OF reports that
Rynears building contained great quantities OF
explosive material section of hose burst on
street, scattering the crowd, and Ne. engine
burst glass guage, all OF which helped to Keep
up the excitement One Of Mr.. Ryneals clerks
got his eyebrows and hair singed whileNclosing
the safe preparatory to a hasty departure. The
bevy OF young women employed as clerks In
Baum's were turned out upon the streets and
near the scene OF the fire.