Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-29
TelegramS to The Star.
BIG FIRES IN PHILADELPHIA.
EXPECTED BATTLE IN EGYPT.
DYNAMITE SCARE IN LONDON.
LAND GRABBING IN OREGON.
APACHE RAIDS In SONORA.
GLADSTONE ON FRANCHISE REFORM.
DYNAMITE SCARE IN LONDON.
LAND GRABBING IN OREGON.
APACHE RAIDS IN SONORA.
GLADSTONE ON FRANCHISE REFORM.
GERMAN PAPERS on MINISTER SARGENT
A had Night for Philadelphia Fircmeu.
FIVE CoSFLAGRATIoNS, DESTROYING OVER A MILLIO,
DOLLARS WORTH OF PROPERTY.

FIVE CONTRIBUTIONS, DESTROYING OVER A MILLION
DOLLARS WORTH OF PROPERTY.
PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 29-Fiye fires occurred during
the night In this city. The wind blew almost "A
gale, and owing to this cau-e and the great
came. the firemen found much trouble in keep
Ing the flames under control The most dc-
structire was that at the chemical works ot
Powers Weightman-the largest OF the Kind in
the country-which Were totally destroyed The
loss at this place VIII be over a million dollars.
The store OF Coon Bros. & Co. produce commission
merchants, 20 south Water street. WAS damaged tO
the extent Of $4,000 About the same time the
Echo carpet mill. at Lehgh avenue and Paethorpe
street. and three or four dwellings adjoining
destroyed, involving a loss of $4,000. The other
nreS, with the exception of that at Powers G
Neghtmans. We're not 80 serious. but the frequent
alarms served 10 distract the iremen and test the
department to Its fullest cpacity Every firr com
paily In the city WAS in service at time. with
one eXception-a company at rranEford-leit there
as a precautionary measure. to protect the great
number OF mills in that section.
The fire at Powers 81 WeiEhtman's chemical
works. number OF brick buildings covering The
entire block bounded 10y 9Th, Parrish, Brown and
Knox streets. was first discovered at 1870 m.. bu,
the alarm was not responded TO, because the nnly
engines in that fire district already engag II
In combating similar lire in the wool mills ~
street and Lehigh avenue
One alarm after another was struck. and at e:1l
a IN. 4 general alarm was sounded. The fi!plEcn
responded as promptly possible but they wcr9
weary after working al one TIRE after another. and
the fires burning In various sections of the city,
made IL appear that their work was endless. They
We're benutnbed with cold, but successful In
Keeping the neighbOiing buildings We'll soaked
with water as the wind enyeioped them in a per
feet storm OF sparks and clnderS.
PANIC AND An EXPLOSION.
By O'Clock the chemicals seemed 10 burn with
such extraordinary tercenesS and the fire was eyI-
IDENTIFY spreading 50 rapidly that the residents IN
the neighborhood left their houses In alarm and
sought refuge in the houses OF their ncirhbOrs.
These people in turn fed the fire Progressed but
the police fearing that the hight OF many peo-
pie would RESULT seriously. eXerted themselves 10
keep them In their houses SO many, however,
were under the impression that terrible eNpIo-
sion was liable TO occur at any moment IN some
part OF the works, that IT was difficult 10 calm
them and induce them not 10 risk the lives OF their
children 10y taking them out on such night. Al
this time the entire square seemed 10 be vast
sheet OF flame, and soon after } o'clock an eXplo-
sion OF fusll oil took place The burning fiuid RAJ.
through the streets. but soon burned Itself out,
but the flames had spread across an alley way 10
the iive-story brick building known as the cheni-
cal Department.. stored With a large quantity oi
c0mblIstible material.
Ii was in this building that bSmuth. morphia.
potash. soda and other preparations were made and
stored. The building. together with all its contents
was entirely destroyed. p To this time ) O'Clock
the haIneS steadily triumphel over all opposition
lighting up The entire city. while the neIghh Dr1ng
streets were blocked with panc-strcken Residents
removing their goods to places OF safety.
THE. SITUATION NOON.
From O'Clock until noon the progress OF rhe rirt
was simply that OF gradual destruction OF aif in
fammabe matter within the confines already de.
Scrbed, and there was no fear of Its spreading. The
walls have been crashing down during the early
morning. but as these accidents were not CaeX-
pected, and the streets having been properly roped
off. no one has been hurt.