St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-20
One of the Finest Business and Office
Blocks in Chicago Reduced
to Ashes.
The Grannis Block and Two Banks and
Numerous Business Offices All
Pile Of Ruins.
Phiiadelphia Is Touched by the Fire Fiend
to the Extent of Several Thou
sand Dollars.
Brazil, Ind, Easton, Penn, and Several
Other Places Come in for Their
Share of the Days Fires
SEVERAL SERIOUS BLAZES.
Chicago Badly Scared by Another Conf


Chicago Badly Scared by Another Confla-
grafton.
CHICAGO, Feb. ia fire started at 5:45
this evening in the Grannis block, on Dear
born street, and half an hour later it was
found necessary to turn in a general alarm q.
Twelve engines and stand pipe are now
PLAYING on the flames, and an immense
crowd Of several thousand people are watch
ing the apparent destruction Of the finest
office blocks in the city. 1t is impossible
now TO estimate the loss. At the time the
fire broke out, the employees in the offices of
the building were preparing to leave for the
night, and as far as learned, all escaped
safely. The fire is said to have originated at
the bottom of the elevator shaft, where the
past week a new boiler had been put in and
other improvements made. The latest re-
ports say the flames are not yet OUT, and al
ready the loss By fire and water is very con-
siderable.
One hour from the discovery Of the fire it
was plain the
WHOLE BLOCK MUST CO.
The flames then burst through the roof and
brilliantly Illuminated tue scene for blocks
around. Twenty engines were now pouring
enormous volumes Of water into the burning
building, yet the flames seemed to DEFY all
attempts to suppress them. At Sis the
roof fell in, sending showers Of sparks up,
and the rumor that the walls were on the
point Of falling scattered the crowd in all di-
rections The material Of the roof could
now be seen burning on the fifth floor. The
flames poured out o. every window in front
above the second story, aud it was feared it
would be impossible to save the Portland
block on the corner Of Washington and
Dearborn streets, adjoining The burning
building. On account Of the intense cold it
was difficult to employ the engines to the
best advantage. Occasionally pipe would
burst and it would be several minutes before
the water could be again brought to play
where most needed. Tue stand pipe did
good service in drenchng the adjoining
walls, where there vas danger Of fire catch
ing.
In the Granuis block are two banks. They
are the Continental National and National
Bank Of Illinois. The suddenness Of the
fire came near resulting disasirously 10
VALUABLE Bou1s AND PAPERS
Of both banks, as the vaults being yet open
aud on account Of the natural panic ensuing
T. was rumured that the vaults bad net been
closed and that heavy loss would result
But It proved uufounued. The vaults had
been closed and the officers Of both institu-
tiOus said they were not at all au xiOus as TO
the safety Of their funds. The vaults were
all tre-proof and the only inconvenience
would be the delay while waiting for the
safes to become sufficiently cooled of to
make access 10 them possible. Before 9
O'Clock everybody about the ueigborhood Of
the fire having Offices in the building or being
employed there had no doubt OF the total
loss 0t the building and contents, except
valuabcs in frr-proof safes. The building
is for the most part occupied by lawyers,
architects and insurance agents, many Of
whom will lose everything contained in the
offices. 1t is now known that two Of the
most
VALUABLE LAW LIBRARIES
in the city are totally destroyed, besides val
uahle papers which the occupants had not
sufficient time 10 put in the vaults. The
Graunis block was erected about three years
ago by Amos Grannis at Il cost Of
about SlI5,O 900. The building was insured
for Sl2O.OO0 Its location was the most de-
sirahIc for office purposes, the building being
arranged according to the most approved
plans as 10 convenience. Its tenants were
FOR the most part prominent In their profess
sion. having offices expressly fitted up, which
fact makes the estimates of furniture, etc,
amount up we'll towards 5000. The hre