The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-15

The magnificent and beautiful new Ho-
tel de Luehrmann, at the corner of Main
and Monroe streets, came very near being
totally destroyed last night. A few min
utes before $50 O'clock the employees in
the cotfeo-room, adjoining the large din.
ing-room on the tirSt floor, were almost
sufiocated by the sudden burst of smoke
from the large ventilation shaft. Police
Officer Farson was standing Just outside OF
the front door OF the hotel, and ran across
to box No. IL, at the Peabody hotel, and
turned in a general alarm. The entire fire
department turned ont with its accus.
toned promptness and CELEBRITY. BY the
time the engines arrived the entire first,
second and third floors were filed with tho
most sitting smoke, but no blaze was
apparent The fire had originated in the
little zinc plated room which is used for
the heating of coffee; the urns are placed
over gas Jets which pcrpctually burn and
the coffee is ever hot. This room as stated
opens into the main dining and lunch
room on the first floor. The explanation
OF the fire by Mr.. Luchrmann il that one of
the pipes to these gas Jets struck leak,
and the blaze from il communicated 10 the
others. In an instant they flew up the
great shaft, and as the flooring between
the ceiling and plank is net work of
electric wires and small gas pipes, the fire
went like flash over them. With COM
mendable presence OF mind Mr.. Luehrmann
hal tlA ..ast,... ~ la. .l,aft
cut and stream OF water dashed up IL
served TO abatc the flames, which were
vending their way TO the lathing con-
Quoted by the other ready currents which
lay along them.
There were some fifteen or twenty
guests in the elegantly furnished rooms
above, but rs IL was an early hour they
were all prepared in dress, and lost no
time in rushing down the stairways, but
rs they did so they were almost stiiled by
the gaseous smoke through which they
had TO pass.
The fire was between the ceiling and
the floors, consequently most difficult TO
get ut. Chief Ryan took in the situation
ut once, and ordered the mon To use
their axes in tearing up the floors
and bursting through the ceiling.
This they did with telling rapldity, though
IL played havoc with the new and costly
carpets in the Railways and rooms II
was soon ascortainod that the fire had not
spread further than the second floor,
though there were loud cries that the thlrd
floor was also on fire. This was caused by
the dense volume Of smoke which per-
vadcd IT, The furniture in the rooms was
also badly damaged. Both floors were
flooded with water and il was fully M
hour before the alarm was tapped out.
The crowd which gathered in the vicinity
Of the stately odiiicc and made all sorts
Of EXPLANATIONS Of what n pity II
would be for II 10 be destroyed, numbered
several thousands. The damage 10 the
building, fixtures and furniture Is roughly
estimated between g., 900 aud 81 800, all oil
which is covered by insurance. The house
belongs TO Als. $. H. Hunt, and Is In
sured for $4,000, while the fixtures an,
stock, all the properly Of MIR. Luehrmann
is insured for 10000. The insurance
| placed In both local and foreign companies
Tho damage will b. repaired at once, an
will not materially interfere with the busi
ness OF the house.