Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-27
A THEATRE IN RUINS.

An Early Morning Blaze in Washington
-The National Theatre Destroyed
Narrow Escape of the Harris House
WASHINGTON, Feb. 81, 40 A. M.-'The
National Theatre and Harris House have
just been discovered to be on fire.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 81, 2:15 A. M.-The
National Theatre was on street, Just off
of Pennsylvania avenue. 1t is now moth
ing but mass OF ruins. 1t adjOlned the
Harris House, formerly known as the
Imperial Hotel. This hotel was on fire at
the side and rear, but will probably be
saved with slight damage, the firemen
having gained control of the flames. The
fire had gained considerable headwaY be-
fore it was discovered. 1t evidently
STARTED IN THE REAR OF THE STAGE,
and was first observed by two police Off
GERS on the beat in the neighborhoOd as it
burst through the roof just over the CEN
t1e of the building. They aroused the en-
gineer OF the theatre who was asleep in
the second story. So rapidly had the
flames spread that they were compelled
to put ladder to the window, and he
only escaped in his night clothes. Tie
fire department was soon on the scene.
but within ten minutes from the time it
was discovered, and before anything
could be done to check it, the whole in
terror OF the theatre was body of flames.
All the scenery and properties, the ward
robe OF the company playing at the thea
tire this week the Wallack Theatre Com
pany), and the books, etc., of the lessees,
which were in the box office, have been
destroyed.
THE GUESTS OF THE HARRIS HOUSE
were obliged to leave without completing
their toilet, and such of them as were
= ln11 loi,
The Ebbitt House is on F street, in front
OF the same block, and the parlOrs of
the hotel were filled with lady
guests, some of whom had not
fastened all their buttons before they
left their rooms. The Ebbitt House,
however, has not and probably will not
suffer anything worse than fright to the
guests, whose windows overlooked the
burned buildings.
The fire is under control and is confined
to the theatre building, one small build
ing adjoining occupied as a restaurant,
and several small buildings in the lot in
rear of the theatre and between it and the
Ebb1tt. House. The wall and roof of the
Harris House adjoining the theatre were
badly damaged, and only the most stren-
uous eXertlons on the part of the firemen
saved the whole building from destruc-
tion.
THE LOSSES.
The theatre building, of which only the
crumbling walls remain, was owned by
w. w. Rapley, who also managed the
theatre. He estimates the value of the
building at 100000 and the furniture,
scenery and properties at $50, 600, and
says his insurance is abeut $40, 900.
The value of the wardrobe of the company
is not known. The saloon and billiard
room in the theatre building, occupied
by Miller 81 Jones was completely dis
troyed, with most of its contents. among
which were 20 billiard tables. The pro-
prietors estimate their loss at about 500
900, but are unable to say what portion of
this sum is covered by insurance.
A STOVE WAREROOM BURNED.
One building in the rear of the theatre.
occupied as stove warerOOm, was de-
stroyed, with its contents. The value of
this building is not known, but the stock
is valued at So, 200. The theatre building.
which was of brick, was two stories high
in front and four stories in the rear. 1t
had a frontage of SO feet and depth of
1863 feet.