Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-01-07
COSTLY FIRE.
The Fire Department Called This Mora
ing to Quench Diaas In Baocrsft's Hat
store-Curious Origin u the Fire.

The Fire Department Called This Morn
ing to Ouench . Blase In Bancroft's Hat
store -Curious Origin u the Fire.
About . O'Clock this morning the watch
man, Dave Corner, noticed smoke Issuing
from the handsome block on the corner Of
Main and Market streets, occupied by the
Lagonds National Bank and Bancroft's
hat store. The people lodging in the build
ing had also been aroused by the smoke
which was permeating the whole building,
and rapid search rs made over the build
ing for the fire. 1t was impossible to find
II for a long time, the smoke all the
while becoming thicker through the
whole building. Finally at O'Clock they
discovered the flames in the rear part Of
Bancroft's hat store and Immediately went
to Kidder's where the alarm was telephOned
in to the Central engine house. Here Box
8. the new number for the Central house,
was pulled by Chief Simpson, and the de
partmen was on the ground In very short
space OF time. When they arrived the
smoke was issuing from all parts of the
building and the blaze was flaring up bright
ly in the hat store. making 1t appear as
though both the lower stories Of the build
ing were on fire. Mr.. Bancroft was sent
for. but at first only sent down his keys,
being certain that it could no be his store
that was on fire.
The firemen were compelled to break In
both the front and rear doors to get at the
fire. The smoke was so dense that 1t was
almost impossible to tell the extent Of the
flames. Although six hose lines were laid,
comparatively little water was used. The
floor was kept flooded, as it was feared thai
the fire was burning in the cellar; and n
the firemen were not aware that the parti
ton between the store and the bank was Of
brick this side of the store was flooded
thus soaking pretty thoroughly large par
Of the stock.
The fire originated from the crate in tn,
directors room Of the Lagonda Bank. Tn
floor in the store is five inches highe
than that in the bank and the joist
were set square against the back Of tn
crate, These had, Of course, become DIR.
as tinder and had ignited from the heat
Thus they had probably smOuldered for
day or two before the fire burst into fame
this morning. just above the place wher
the fire broke out was counter heaped u
with hats, among which were number Q
valuable seal skins. All this counter Q
goods was burned, large hole was bume
In the floor, and the handsome stairwa
leading to the second story was badly dan
|, aged. The room is blackened and smirche
. from the effect Of the smoke and the plat
glass in the front door and that q
. the inner window castings Is destroyed
Altogether the damage from fire an
/, water will fall little short of $1,000. P.
Bancroft, proprietor Of the store, carrie
81, 500 insurance on the stock in the Ohio
Of Dayton. He owns the portion Of tn
. building which he occupies. 1t Is insure
for $1,000 in the Ohio, and for s., 900 in tn
. North American, of Philadelphia 1t wa
found that the bank was also on fire. L
P. Jeffries. tire cashier, was sent for and
thorough examination was made, but tn
, fire had not spread into the bank at all
The Fire Department, after satisfyin
themselves that the last spark was extir
guished, .eft the place at O'Clock.