The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-06-16


DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN BEL ARA fire broke
ont in the paint-room of Mcssrs. John A. Han
ma IL Co.'S carriage factory, at eight o'clock
Monday evening, which resulted in the destruc-
ton of all Mr.. Hanna's buildings, a frame sta
BILE belonging to Mrs. Martha Hanna, and con-
siderable injury TO the Academy building. In
short time after the alarm was given many
persons were at the spot with buckets, but the
flames spread so rapidly that it was impossible
to stay them. All Of the finished carriages,
buggies, &C., on the lower floor We're saved, to-
gether with nearly all the tools and material in
the wheelwright shop, which was also on the
first floor.
The building in which the fire started was of
frame, 80 feet in length and 81 in width About
lG feet south of it was the stone blacksmith
shop. Efforts were made to save this building,
by saturating the roof with water, but it was
impossible All the wood work was complete.
standing. A few feet north of the larger build
ing is the old Academy Much anxiety was
felt for the safety of this time-honorcd
ediilce, and as soon as it was found that the
carriage factory could not be saved the efforts
of the bucket brigade were turned towards saw
ing the Academy and Mr.. VIM. Andcrsons
house. near it, The Academy being of stone
and covered with slate, resisted well the pro.
gress of the fire. The intense heat, however,
set fire to the projecting cornce and to the bel
fry, but brave men, white and black, risked
their lives to fight the flames, and succeeded in
conquering them. The building is considerably
int, 4,
carried out and the roof torn off to get at the
lire, which was creeping underneath the slate
The school desks and furniture were all saved
The flames swept towards the northwest, setting
fire to and destroying Mrs. Martha Hannas
stable, and endangering houses and stables
long distance off. Large Goals of fire fell on
Mr.. c. W. Proctor's house, on Gordon street,
setting the roof on fire, but the prompt applca-
tion of few buckets full of water averted disas-
ter. Some of the burning Goals were carried
TO distance ofnearly mile.
The burned buildings belonged jointly to Mr..
John A. Hanna ard Mrs. Martha Hanna, and were
insured as follows in the Hartford county COM
pany: The large frame building $3.50; the
blacksmith Shops 5000.
The contents were the property of Mr.. John
A. Hanna, ard were insured in the same COM
pany for $3.50 Total $4,000. The property de-
stroyed amounted in value TO about 5000
The Academy belongs to Mr. Daniel Scott,
whose loss will be several hundred dollars.
Mrs Hanna's loss on her stable is about $3.50
No insurance.
About fifteen minutes before the alarm was
given, Mr.. Hanna, according to his custom, in
spected the premises carefully. He observed
peculiar smell in the paint-shop, but supposed
1t was caused by confined air, the windows be-
ing closed. He opened the door of the closet in
which the paints are kept, and left it open. lie
did not suspect the presence of fire. 1t is
thought that the fire had been smouldering in
the closet, and opening the door supplied
draft Of air, which famed the burning material
into flame.
The fire made great light, which was seen
in all parts of the county. Persons from dis
lance of four or five miles came to render assis-
lance. Everybody worked with will. Even
the ladies carried water, and Mrs. William
Young had quantity of hot coffee made, Which
was served by young ladies to the gallant fire.
men. Among those who were particularly
active in dispensing refreshments to the
flremen were Misses BERTHE, Milly, Florence
and Annie Young; Mary, Elite and Minnie
Richardson; Lizzie Hardesty and Miss Beckie
Wetherill.