The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-01
FIERCE FLAMES.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRES IN PHILADELPHIA.
rive ConnaErations in One NIeht-Over
"'iiion DoliarS Worth Of Property De-
"royed-Powers d weishtman's Extensive
Chemical-Works In Ashes.
my telegraph 10 the Dispatch. !


PHILADELPHIA, February 29.--Five fires
occurred during last night IN this city. The
wind blew almost a gale. Owing TO this
cause and the great distance between the
various points whence came the alarms the
i1remen found much trouble in keeping the
flames under control. The most destruc-
tive was that at the chemical-works OF
POWERS Weightman, the largest OF the
KIND IN the country. which were totally
destroyed. The loss at this place will be
over $1,000,0OO
The store OF Coon Brothers & Co., pro-
duce commission merchants, 20 south
water street, was damaged to the extent OF
$4,000. About the same time The Echo
carpet mill, at Lehigh avenue and Pale
thorpe street, and three or four dwellings
adjoining, were destroyed. involving loss
OF $4,000.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FULLY TESTED.
The other fires, with the exception OF
that at Powers a. Weightman's, were not
so serious, but the frequent alarms served
TO distract the iiremen and test the depart
ment TO its fullest capacity. Every fire
company in the city was in service at one
time with one eXception-a company at
Frankiord-left there rs precautionary
mills in that section.
The fire at Powers & Weightman's
chemical-works, number OF brick build
ings covering the entire block bounded by
Ninth, Parish, Brown, and Knox streets.
was first discovered at 1910 A. NJ, but the
alarm was not responded TO because the
only engines in that fire district were al
ready engaged in combating similar fire
,,,t 10 ri mill yof I n
high avenue.
One alarm after another was struck, and
at 2:l5 a. VI. Il general alarm was sounded.
The firemen responded rs promptly as pos
sible, but they were weary after working
at one fire after another, and the fires burn
ing in various sections OF the city made it
appear that their work was endless. They
were benumbcd with cold, hut were sue
cessful in keeping the neighboring build
irgs well soaked with water rs the wind
enveloped them in a perfect storm Of
sparks and cinders.
A PANIC AMONG THE PEOPLE.
By 3 O'Clock the chemicals seemed to
burn with such extraordinary fierceness.
and the fire was evidently spreading so
rapidly, that the residents in the neighbour
hood left their houses in alarm and sought
refuge in the houses Of their neighbOrs.
These people in turn fed as the fire pro-
crossed, but the police, fearing that the
flight OF so many people would result Sc
riously. eXerted themselves 10 keep them
in their houses. so many, however. were
under the impression that terrible cXplo-
SION was liable to occur at any moment In
some part OF the works that il was difficult
to calm them and induce them not to risk
the lives OF their children By taking them
out on such Il night.
TIE EXPLOSION OF FCSIL OIL.
At this time the entire square seemed to
be one vast sheet OF flame, and soon after 3
O'Clock an explosion Of fusil oil took place.
The burning fluid ran through the streets,
but soon burned itself out but the flames
had spread across an alley-way to the five
story brick building known rs the chemical
department, stored with large quantity OF
combustibe material.
It was in this building that bismuth.
morphia, potash, soda, and other prepare
tious were made and stored. The 'uild-
ing, together with all its contents, was en-
tirely destroyed. Upto this time % o'clock)
the flames steadily triumphed over all OPP
position, lighting up the entire city, while
the neighboring streets were blocked with
panic stricken residents removing their
goods to places OF safety.
GRADUAL But STEADY DESTRUCTION.
From 8 o'clock until noon the progress
OF the fire was simply that OF gradual
destruction OF all inflammable matter
within the confines already described,
and there was no fear OF its spreading.
The walls have been crashing down du-
ring the early morning, but as these acci-
dents were not unexpected, and the streets
having been properly roped off, no one has
been hurt.
ANOTHER FIRE LAST NIGHT.
PHILADELPHIA, February 29.-AnOther
fire broke out about : O'Clock this evening
in RodgerS's lamp-oi and crOckery store,
422 south Second street, said to have been
caused by the explosion OF coal-oil. The
flames spread rapidly, and Phillip b. Kelly
and his wife Emma, who occupied the
third floor, found their escape cut OIL ana
iumped from the window TO the pavement.
Mrs. Kelly receiving fracture oil the skull
from which she is not expected to survive.
and her husband having his right ankle
fractured. Both were removed to the hos
pital.
| oUINlNE GOES Up N PRICE.
/ PHILADELPHIA, February 29.--As result
OF the burning OF Powers u Weightman's
chemical factory and warehouse, New York
dealers in foreign quinine to-day put UP
the price from S1.3j 10 Sl.55 per ounce.