The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-01
FIRE LOSSES INCREASED.
TWO DISASTROUS CONGREGATIONS
IN RAPID SUCCESSION.
The Large Front Stree. House OF Porter
81 Macrae Completely Destroyed, and
the Main Street House Of Ottenheimer
81 Schwartz Badly Damaged.

Shortly after Z o'clock last evening FIRE
broke out in the three-story brick building
No. 1853 Shelby street, occupied by Messrs.
Porter & Macrae, wholesale grocers. But
for the solidity OF the fire walls and the
hard and earnest work Of the firemcn, under
the direction of Chief Clcary, there
would have been very disastrous
conhagration, and it was bad enough as it
was. At about the hour above mentioned
Mr., Smith, who is employed by Porter
X Macrae rs entry clerk, entered the build
ing from the front and walked back through
the long store toward the office, where he
was 10 finish u,some work. Situated in close
proximity TO the Office was mammoth
furnace In which was kept large fire.
When Mr.. Smith reached the Office he dis
covered the flooring around the Office on
fire. He attempted to extinguish the
flames, but his efforts proved fruitless. A
private Waterman also saw the fire, and at
once gave the alarm to the Babcock
engine-house situated about half n
block away. An alarm was turned
In from box 10, but from some unknown
cause the alarm did not hit right in the
several engine-houses. Thehook and lad
der truck and engine company No. went
10 the fire on telephone alarm, and the
other engines were guided in the same
manner.
When the firemcn arrived at the
scene the entire rear part OF tho
Porter & Macrae building was in blaze
They got quickly 10 work, and in q short
time four streams were playing on the
fire. Companies 3 and were stationed
in front, while Nos. and 2 guarded
the rear end of the building. The
immense quantity Of water thrown
ON the fire seemed to have no effect. The
flames leapcd out Of the rear windows
and, with lightning like rapidity, took
hold OF the building adjoining on the
south, formerly occupicdby John X. Speed
x Co., and more recently by the
firm which suffered the most dam
age. There was no stock OF any
kind in this store. The fiery iicnd did not
stop its course here, and, helped on by the
wind, which veercd in all directions,
spread TO the beautiful and imposing six
story building recently erected by and
known Ms the Oliver Finnie building and
which is soon TO be occupied by that en-
terprising firm. The flames, like
tongues OF fire, leaped over TO this
building, and but for the strong streams OF
water from engines Nos. ! and = the build
ing would have been destroyed. AS II
was, only the window-francs, castings and
some raiters were burned. The damage
TO this building cannot be estimated. The
building IL supposed to be insured at
builders risk.
Tho building occupied by Porter &
Macrea was Quilted, and the entire stock
totally destroyed. The stock was valued
at $4,000, and ON this there was an insur-
ance OF $3.50 The building, which
had recently been remodeled was valued
at about 81, 900. II was owned by VIM.
Stewart, aud insured for 5000 in the
Planters and Peoples insurance companies
The building adjoining on the south was
also owned by VIM. Stewart and fully
insured.
The books and papers Of Messrs. Porter
* Niacrca were saved intact and the fire
will in no way interfere with their bust
ncRs
During the fire the doctor OF engine
No. 4 lot down and reserve engine had
had 20 he substituted.