Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-28
PHILADELPHIA FIRE,
A Fine Theatre Consumed by the Flames
Two Men Killed by Falling Timbers.
PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 27

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 27.
The new Temple theatre is on fire and it is
now thought the whole structure will be
ruined.
The Washington Hotel adjoins the theatre
on the east and much valuable property is
located 10 the immediate negbborhoOd Of the
building. AT 80 it WAS believed the flames
could be confined to the theatre but the fire
is burning fiercelv in the centre of the build
ing out of reach Of the fremen and will
probably get beyond their control.
The theatre with its improvements has
cost Mr.. Singerly, S400, 900 and was regarded
as the handsomest theatre building in the
country. Insurance on the property amounts
to $l27,0 900. portion of the building was
used as museum under the title of Egyp-
tian Museum and the exhibits in that depart
ment with storage, settings, scenery, ETC., Of
the theatre were valued at $4,000. The
museum was opened for the first time on
Christmas day.
The roof fell in at 2 80 p. NJ, and taking
portion of the hall down with it, buried
three fremen under heavy tmbers and
stones. One of the men, Hugh Colgan, was
dug out alive. But the others, John johnson
and John Gibson, are atill buried under the
debris and cannot be reached. They are
dead bevond all doubt. The fire is stiil
burning iercely and furniture, trunks, etc. ,
are being removed from the Washinton
Hotel
- ANOTHER ACCOUNT sgTE
Fire broke out in the basement of the
Temple theatre on Chestnut street, between
7th and 9th, about this A. M and was not
gotten under control till the handsome struc-
trre was complete wreck, two fremen be-
ing killed, one severely injured and great
damage done to adjoining property by smoke
and water
The theatre was owned by VIM. M. Singer
ly, proprietor of the Philadelphia Record
building, formerly known as the Masonic
Temple. 1t had been built by the State
Grand Lodge of Freemason, and was occu-
pied by the Mssons from SO to '73. Singer
ly transformed the building into the Temple
theatre in 85. 1t was entirely remOdeled
last summer at a cost of about 500, 900 and
was reopened in September. A portion of
the building was used as museum, under
the title Of Egyptian Museum" and in the
basement section of this department the fire
was first discovered. Its origin is believed
to have been the accidental lgnting of some
drspery from q gas jet. The entire building
was soon filled with dense smoke which seri-
ously obstructed the work of the firemen
The fames ran quickly from the basement
through the elevator shaft to the upper
stories and the entire building was soon en-.
veloped. The fire burning stubbornly and
the constantly falling of the burning timbers,
prevented the firemeu from reaching the
centre of the structure.
A general alarm was sent out and almost
every fire apparatus and fireman in the city
put to work to prevent the fire reaching the
valuable property. After the fire had been
burning about three hours, the roof of the
theatre fell in and carried portion of the
wall with it. Several fremen who were
handling line of hose just inside the main
entrance, we're buried under the heavy mass
or stone and timbers, and two of their num-
bers were instantly killed. Their bodies
were not recovered up to a late hour tonight.
Hugh Colgan was dug out alive but sustained
severe injuries.
The fire was gotten under control about s
tonight. the flames having been kept within
the walls of the theatre building, the build
ing and the contents having been completely
destroyed. A portion of the front and back
walls are standing but they will have to be
torn down when new building is erecJed
Singerly paid for the ground and buildings
s225 900 and expended Sl75, 900 on remodel
inc the structure, and $50, 900 for figures,
etc. . in the Musee.
Singerly claims however that there has
been a decided increase in the value OF the
ground since he purchased the property and
his net loss deductiug the insurance will be
less than 100000. Geo. c. BGrtherton,
lessee of the theatre, loses about S25, ,ooo on
scenery, stage settings, etc., on "nich Ihere
is an insurance of $3.50.
No effort will be made tonight to reach the
two unfortunate firemen, the bodies being
bu led under twenty feet of brick and stone