Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-12-03
THE NEWARK FIBE.
Full Particulars of the COnflaRra-
ton Tuesday MOrning-ProbabIy
III "A m eI

ton Tuesday MOrning-PrObabIy
tho Work of an Hncendfary.
Special Correspondence of Gazette and journal
NEWARK, Dec. 2.-Probably the most
destructive fire that ever occurred in
Newark broke out yesterday morning soon
after midnight and resulted i'll the
destruction of whole block of brick
buildings, including the large store of
Rankin Armstrong, on Main street above
the Deer Park Hotel, and the dwelling
houses of James Armstrong, ST., and
John Williamson, II painter,
The fire was first discovered by the
latter named individual who was aroused
by an inmate of his house, who was
titled by the smoke, about O'Clock in
the morning. 1t was found upon inyesti-
alton that the flames were raging fiercely
in the nd joining building on the east--the
store of Mr.. Armstrong. The alarm was
Immediately given in the neighborhood,
but the people have been SO
frequently frightened by similar
false alarms and pranks played by the
college students that the vigorous ringing
of the college bell and shouting of ''tire"
failed for time to arouse them or bring
them out. However, after much delay, o
crowd gathered on the spot and worked
persistently to subdue the flames, which
had gained much progress. The
attempts of the crowd were fruitless,
and attention was then turned to
the surrounding property which was
in imminent danger from the flying
sparks. Most of the neighbours houses
are quite near this building and it was
only the industrious efforts of the citizens
which saved from entire destruction, the
houses of Samuel M. Donnell, Theodore
Armstrong, Mr.. Ocheltree and Mr.. Riddle.
This was accomplished although the
house of Mr.. Donnell and store of Will
liam H. Russell were ignited several
times, and were extinguished with
difficulty. During the progress of
the fire there were frequent explosions
of gun powder and coal oil, which
mingled with the cracking wood and fall
ing walls and the boisterous ordinations
of the excited crowds created thrill
lingly sensational incident to the de-
structive conhagration. Absolutely nothing
was saved from the store, which was one
of the best stocked in town. It was
a brick building two stories high
with frontage of 80 feet and
| O wooden addition on the east side which
was recently built. The next house was
| of the same kind of material and occupied
| by John Williamson and wife, who Ind
some lady revivalists staying there and to
| whose acute sense of smell is due the de-
lection of the fire before it had gained
such Roadway as cojeopard any lives.
The household goods and furniture Of
this family were completely destroyed
and nothing but few clothes, some
| jewelry and a pocket-book were saved
and it was indeed fortunate that all es-
capped from the building without injury.
| The Williamson family is left without
| a home or furniture, and subscription
paper for their relief is being generously
| filled up with various amounts until con-
siderably over 5000 has been raised in a
few hours without solicitation.
The total loss has not been definitely
nscertained, but a rough estimate places it
| at about $17 900, as stated in dispatch
to EVERY EVENING yesterday. Policies to
| the extent of 1000 are held on the
stock in the burned store. 1t is said that
the block of brick buildings are not in
sured at all. 1t is the property of Repre-
| sentative Armstrong who is brother of
the proprietor of the store.
The origin of the fire, from all that
your correspondent can learn at present,
indicates incendiarism, and the circum-
stances of the conhagration and the dis
covery point Enthusiastically to such q
theory as the only plausible explanation.
That the store was broken into is well
substantiated by the finding of an iron
cellar CRATE knocked out and broken.
This was found by Mr.. Williamson when
it was first discovered and the incipient
fire was seen in the forward part of the
cellar under the front door. A strong
odor of coal oil was detected
in front of the store by q
passer-by on the street short time before
the outbreak. The CRATE was found
broken and lying on the ground near by.
This hole was large enough to admit of a
mans body passing through, and on upon
looking in Mr.. Williamson saw door
open in the cellar and fire burning near
the steps and far from any stove or other
combustibles.
Some aver that they heard team
driven rapidly away from the store a
short time before the discovery of the fire.
| OF course, it is unknown whether or not
any goods were stolen, but the perpe-
traitors evidently intended to cover up oil
suspicion. The town was proportionately
| excited. The safe has been removed and
the books found in fair condition. Repre-
sentative Armstrong is not ut home yet,
| he being Mt Dover.