Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-08-01
The Tacoma Fire.

We take the following graphic ac-
count Of Ia :oma's late destructive
fire from the Lcdger:
At 1920 O'Clock on the morning
OF the 18th instant the cry CT fire
brought oil who were within hearing
distance TO their feet, and a glance
toward the north end Of Pacific Ave-
nue soon showed it's location. Upon
arriving on the grounds flames were
discovered in the rear of the Ameri-
can House. The fire soon spread to
n onc-story building in the rear
and in few minutes that end OF the
block was mass Of flames. For
some time the fire was confined TO
the American House and the Zee
Hive saloon, and an effort was made
10 tear down the building which was
occupied by the Elite photograph
gallery. the gallery having been
moved to that building after being
burned out OF the other block.
While men were engaged in throw.
ing articles out Of the Elite gallery
. lamp was knocked over, and in an
instant that building was in flames.
Then the FIRE commenced spreading
both ways and half the block was in
hames. Adjoining The Bee Hive was
= small building occupied as q sa-
loon, which was soon in q mass of
flames. Next came the three-story
building known % the Grotto House,
which was used as q lodging house
and restaurant. From there it
caught o small one story building
aud went quickly down the block.
Great fears were entertained for the
safety OF the Halstead House, which
caught fire q number Of times, but
in every instance the flames we're ex.
tinguished before much Roadway
was gained. Opposite. the Standard
saloon, south Of the Halstead House,
was in great danger, Lut there being
q large number Of men at work with
water and blankets, the flames were
prevented from gaining Roadway, al
though they took fire several times.
In many instances the stocks in
the various buildings were saved,
having been removed up the street
east OF the burning block. The ma
jority Of the houses were occupied
by saloons. and the space back as
far an Cliff avenue was literally COW
cred with liquors and cigars.
Without doubt tho fire started in
the room over the kitchen of the ho-
tel and lodging-place known as the
American House. In An instant the
flames leaped to the main building,
and there WAS hot aud rapid work to
save anything from the American.
From the American the raging ele-
ment swept southwark, battling ev.
cry effort to stay its source. The
saloon OF McCaskill 4 Hayes, on the
corner, was soon q roaring mass of
flames. Next south Of McCaskill
Hayes came Heman's saloon. About
the time this building caught
tho fire company made o splen.
did effort TO tear out building
further south. They had partially
succeeded, when lamp in the build
ing next south Of the place where
they were working exploded from
causes unknown, and started the fire
in n new place almost in the center
OF the block. Returning to affairs
TO the north 81 the explosion, the
Grotto Hotel followed Htman's.
This was q three stony building,
shell which threw out a terrific heat
and filed the dir with flames and
flying sparks. South of the Grotto
came the Elite saloon, Hersberg's
Wholesale liquor house, c. Lanser,'s
Wholesale liquCr house, Lees sta.
tionery store, Lev.ns' barber shop,
the Rainier saloon, the Scandinavian
saloon, the Boca beer hail, Wants
large grocery, Wards variety store,
Harris Saddle Rock restaurant, Uh!-
mans meat market, Wilmot's auc-
ton store, Besds's saloon, VOLTS
bakery. Mamlock's cigar store, 81.