The Portland daily press., 1885-02-18
EXPENSIVE BLAZE.
Fire in the Robinson Building on
Congress Street.
The Loss Estimated at $4,000; In.
sured for $4,000.

the Preble House noticed smoke issuing from
the three-story building with Mansard roof,
situated on the corner of Centre and Congress
streets, and notified parties who sounded the
alarm. The department quickly responded
and arrived at the scene to find the roof for the
entire length of the building in flames. There
was some delay in getting a stream of water
On the fire owing to the freezing of several of
the hydrants. Meantime the flames we're
spreading rapidly and when the engines got to
work the whole upper story was burning
hercely Ladders were placed against the
front aud side of the structure and water was
thrown upon the burning building from Con-
gress aad Center streets and from yard in
the rear of the horse car station.
In raising ladder on Center street the tele-
phone wires were struck and the ladder was
thrown to the ground, striking Alonzo Quinn
OF Steamer No. in its fall and inflicting a SO.
we're but not dangerous scalp wound Mr..
Qainn is in the employ of the American Ex-
press Company. He was carried into Guppy g.
Co.'S drug store DR.. Warren attended the in
jured man and took three stitches in the
wound.
Fer time IL seemed as If the building
would be entirely destroyed and adjoining
blocks were in great danger. A second alarm
was rung in bringing out the entire depart
ment. The flames rose to considerable height
aud clouds of sparks we're carried down Mid
die street by the high wind. Center street was
filed with smoke shutting the fremen from
view. It was half past seven before the fire
was gotten under control and for an hour more
the men were obliged to work hard in subduing
the flames. The all out alarm did not ring
until 915 p. m.
The origin OF the fire is unknown, but it is
supposed to have started around furnace in
the upper story. Chief Cloyes said that
when he arrived the whole roof was in flames.
he could not tell in what way the fire caught
The building is owned by Mr.. David Robin
son of Boston, and is worth about 81 900. The
upper story only was damaged by fire, but the
entire structure vas saturated with water
The amount of Insurance on the building
could not be sscertsined last night, but it was
reported that Rollins & Adams had $4,000.
The same building was injured by fire some
years ago.
The occupants of the building were Mason &
Son, photographers; Rudolph Richner, manu-
featuring jeweler Elder & Douglass, shoe
dealers; and Mrs. Kelly, dressmaker The
wooden building in the rear, which was deug-
cd with water, contained a saloon and the
laundry of War Lee.
Mason & Son bought out Mr.. Conant in Oc-
tober, and had just commenced business.
Their stock was worth about $500, and was
entirely destroyed. 1t was insured for So 600,
there being three policies for 81 900 each. AS
these policies were taken out by Mr.. Conant,
Mr.. Mason was unable to give the offices.
Elder Douglass sustained no loss by fire,
but their stock was seriously damaged by
water. Ali the goods in the store were taken
out, though not until a portion of them had
been wet La the cellar we're large number
OF unopened cases, and it is here that the most
damage was done Mr.. Elder ssid that the
stock was worth about $500, and was insured
for $4,S50, $4,000 being placed with Dow, Cof-
fin & Libby, and $4,000 with Morse & Pink
ham.
Messrs. Loring, Short & Harmon placed
their store at the disposal of Elder and
Douglas and the greater part of the stock was
taken there.
-N@S' AAoA'J H"H nAiAoo uE666Se WulCu
she bad just finished and which were burnt.
One was to have been delivered last night.
War Lee declared that he had sustained no
loss other than the thorough wetting of the
clothing in his possession.
The danger from the network OF wires which
overhangs many parts of the city was foreibly
illustrated The wires were the cause OF the
accident which.injured Quinn and they great
ly mpeded the efforts of the department. AS
the water strock them, it frozs and it may be
considered fortunate that they did not fall in
mass to the street from the weight of the ice
upon them. The firemen are also in danger
OF cutting an electric light wire by mistake
aud being injured if not killed.
The delay in getting the engines at work
was oc casioned by frozen hydrants. One of
the steamers was obliged to draw water from
hydrant at the corner of Park and Congress
Streets
Had the fire occurred on Monday instead of
Tuesday night fighting it would have been
well nigh impossible. As it was, the firemen
were covered with ice and suffered great
deal with the cold. The force displayed great
energy in its efforts to subdue the flames.
Standard Fime from the eIcphone.
The New England Telephone and Telegraph