The Portland daily press., 1886-12-28
TEMPLE THEATRE
on Chestnut Street. Philadelphia
Destroyed by Fire.
Two FIremen Killed and One Severe
NinJured.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 27.-Fire broke out
in the basement of Temple Theatre on
Chestnut street, between Seventh and
Eighth, about IL o'clock this morning, and
was not gotten under control until the hand
some structure was a complete wreck, two
firemen being killed, one severely injured
and great damage done to adjoining proper
ty by smoke and water. The theatre was
owned by William NJ. SingerIy, proprietor
OF the Philadelphia Record. The building
was formerly known as the Masonic Temple,
having been built by the State Grand Lodge
OF Free Masons, and occupied by the Masons
from 1855 to 1873. Mr.. Singerly transformed
the building into Temple Theatre in 1885.
The theatre was entirely remoddled last
summer at cost of about $4,000, and was
reopeDed IN September A portion of the
building was used as museum under the
title OF Egyptian Muse" and IN the base
ment section Of this department the fire was
hrst discovered. Its origin is believed to
have been the accidental igniting of some of
the drapery from gas jet. The entire
building was soon filled with dense smoke
which seriously impeded the work of the
nremen. Two scrub women and three male
attaches OF the museum were in the upper
floors and all were rescued uninjured ty fire.
men VINO lowered them on ladders from the
fourth story window. The flames ran quick
ly from the basement through the elevator
shaft to the upper stories and the entire
building was soon enveloped, the fire burn
ing stubbornly and the constantly falling Of
burning tlmberS prevented the fireinen from
reaching the centre of the structure A gem
eral alarm was sent out and almost every
flre apparatus and fireman in the city were
put TO work to prevent the fire from reach
ing the surrounding valuable property. At
ter the hre had been burning about three
hours the roof of the theatre fell in and car
rled portion of the wall with it. Several
nremen who were handling a line of hose
Just inside the main entrance, were buried
under a heavy mass of stone and timber and
two OF their number, John johnson and
John Gibson. were instantly killed. Their
oodleS were not recovered up to a late hour
tonight. Hugh Colgan was dug out alive
but sustained severe injuries.
Inc IRE was gotten under control about
O'Clock tonight. The building and contents
however, were completely destroyed. Por-
lions OF the front and back walls are stand
Ing, but will have to be torn down when a
new building is erected. Singerly paid for
the ground and building $4,000, and ex-
pended $4,000 ON remodeling the structure
and $4,000 for fixtures etc. In the museum
On these losses is an insurance amounting to
S127,0 Slngerly claims, however, there
has been decided increase in the value of
the ground since he purchased the property.
anu mat MS net loss after deducting the in
surance will be less than 100000. George
=; Brotherton, lessee Of the theatre, loses
about $4,000 on the scenery, stage settings,
etc, on which there is Ssi56 insurance. Tho
loss on the Washington Hotel, owned by
John Tracy, is $500, fully insured. The
salesroom of Niles Tool Works was located
on the first floor of the theatre building.
Ihelr loss Is estimated at $4,000. insurance
$1,000. Fairbanks & Co. scales in the same
building, loses S6000 partially insured.
Mycoff, Seamen d Benedict, agents of the
remington type writer's, lose from $1,000 to
$4,000, insured for 5000. Nj. H. Eaton, sta
uonery, first floor. 723 Chestnut street, ad-
joining the theatre, loses from Sl2. 900 to
$4,000, nearly covered by insurance. Hub
bard Bros, Publishers Place, loss S55.OO0
insured $4,000. No effort can be made to-
night to reach the two unfortunate firemen.
3heir bodies being buried under 20 feet OF
brick and stone.