Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-23
FURIOUS FLAMES
wrLMiNcrons BIG BLAZE,
A aurp,nR steamer se,s Fire TO valuable

A Rurp,nR Steamer se,s Fire TO Valuable
Property Escape 81 rasseeeers-Loss.
A Wilmington On. c. special Of
Sunday says: Tho steamer Bladen,
plying between this city and Fayette-
vile, n. c., caught fire this afternoon
about 4 O'Clock just before reaching her
wharf, and owing TO the infammable
nature Of her cargo, consisting of resin,
spirits Of turpentine, and cotton, was
immediately epyeloped 10 flames. The
pilot headed her for the nearest svaila-
Bile wharf, and the passengers sue
ceeded in escaping, some by boats
from adjoining vessels and others by
jumping overheard, when they were
quickly rescued. The deserted steamer
landed against the wharf OF the New
York and Wilmington Steamship Com
pany, and the fire was quickly cOmmu-
nicated TO the sheds and warehouses.
All the wharyeS and sheds being satu-
rated with resin and turpentine, the
spread Of the fire was rapid, and de-
spite the efforts Of the fremen, it be-
came a disastrous confagration. There
was gale Of wind blowing at the time
from the southwest, and soon the blocks
on the waterfront were burning furi-
ouSly.
At about eight o'clock the fire was
gotten under control, but not until it
had destroyed sl,500,0C0 worth Of
property. Starting from Chestnut street,
the New York Steamship Company's
wharf and warehouse were burned;
next the store Of F. w. Kerchner, the
store and offices Of kerchner & Colder
Brothers, 5. p. Shotter & Co., A. d.
VESSEL, Worth & Worth, o. G. Parsley,
Alexander Sprunt & Son. Chadburn's
city lumber mill, formerly Colyille's; G.
G.. Bonney & Co, b. Wright, -four and
grist mills, the Champion Compress and
Warehouse Company. The freight
warehouses Of the Wilmington and
Weldon and Wilmington, Columbia and
Augusta Railroad Companies, and seve-
RAJ sailors boarding. houses were also
destroyed, and in addition to the
steamer Bladen the steamer River
Queen, Of the same line, was burned
to the waters edge. The American
schooner Lille Holmes, not being able
to get out Of reach of the flames, was
also burned, and will prove total loss.
Over S250,000 worth Of goods were
burned in one warehouse. Owing to
sparks waited by the high wind nu-
merous private dwellings caught fire
and were burned to the ground, in
GLIDING those of the Hon. George Davis,
Colonel f. r. Brink, Mr.. Solomon
Baer, and about thirty others. In ad-
dition block Of small tenements occu-
pied by colored people was completely
swept away, although nearly mile
distant from the main fire. The gen
eIal offices Of the Atlantic Coast Line
were destroyed, with numerous valua-
bic papers and secords. The Front
Street Methodist church was included
in the list Of buildings burned, and is a
total loss.
Owing to the general decentralization
incident TO the fire it is impossible to
ascertain tonight the individual losses
or losses Of the insurance companies.
The telegraph-wires in the streets were
pulled down. and communication is diff
ficult. SO many poor people are burn
cd out that fears are entertained of
serious distress, and active efforts are
being made TO relieve all suffering.
Quite a handsome sum has already
been raised and others are contributing.
The guests Of the Orion House alone
raised a munifcent purse, which is be- |
iug distributed to those most in need.
lBy telegraph to the Dispatch
WILMINGTON, n. c., February %.
The loss by yesterdays fire is fortu-
nately much less than at first reported. |
The total loss is now estimated at $780, !
600 and the insurance at 100000. |
Some Of the principal losses are as fol-
lows Schooner Lille Holmes Qoaded |
with guano), loss $30,000-no insu- |
rance; general Office of the Atlantic
Coast Line and two freight warehouses,
net loss $50, 900 the steamer Bladen,
loss IS, 000-no insurance the Front
Street Methodist Episcopal church,
loss $4,000 insured the bust
ness-hOuses of Worth Il Worth, |
Alexander Sprunt 4 Son, O. B. Wright,
&. j. Boney, Kerchner & Calden Bro
theirs, Smith ~ Gilchrist, and the Cham
pion Compress Company, were all |
partly insured. In the Brooklyn sec |
lion Of the city nineteen buildings were !
destroyed. causing a loss of $4,000, !
with but little insurance. Among the !
buildings burned in this part of the
city were II. Barnabas's school house |
,colored), Trinity NJ. f. church, and
number of small buildings and stores.
While the Front-Street church was
burning a negro fell from the roof and
broke both his legs. Several other &C
cidents occurred during the progress Of
the fIe, but not Of serious nature.