Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-02-17
FURIOUS FLAMES
Destroy . Vast Deal of Property at Prov
dence, X.

Destroy . vnst Deal of Property at pr"yi
dence, X. I.
PRovrpEvcx r l., February 1.-THE FIRE
which bafiied the Fire Department Of this
city yesterday has proved the most intruc-
tive that has visited the city since Septem-
bcr, ISL. The flames were first discovered
at midnight and the frs: man TO give
he alarm was the engineer M the 10
Comotive waiHA, IT the passenger station
to take the 1dnight mail ira 10 New
London He 6fsW the alarm on The engine
whistle.
The fire originated in Chaccs Block, q
four story brick. corner Of Eddy aud Foun-
tain streets and spread So rapidly that n
general alarm was ruug, and the entire Fire
Department responded. The flames started
in the northwest corner of the ground floor
Of the building occupied as an engine room
by Henry Staples & Co. On the same floor
were the sash and blind ware house of l.. A.
French, and Edward Wheelhouse's sash
factory. The second floor was occupied by
William G. Belong & CO., manufacturers
Of jewelers. IL. :; W. II. Beatty 4 Co.
jewellers; James A. Charney, jewellers sup
plies; Houghton & wilkinson, jewellers and
others The third floor was occupied by
William II. Robinson 4 Co, manufacturers
of watch chains, and Reed & Hudson. Jewell
ers. The fourth floor was occupied by J..
II. Sturdy, electrio-plaster, and Others.
In . few minutes this building was Quilted
and with crash the walls fell, throwing up
. solid sheet of flame, and in an instant the
Billings block. which stood upon the oppo-
site Of Worcester street, was in flames
The immense building WAS consumed ike
% much tinder, and in forty-tve minutes
nothing bu, blackened walls remained
Upon the first foor OF the this building were
Burke Brothers dealers in beer. W J
Matson & Co., dealers in calico print sup
plies and II. Morrissy's bar room In the
second story were Isaac Hahn's braid shop
and Smith & Provost, engravers The third
dcor was empty The fourth tioor contain
ed q quantity Of valuable shifting, belong
ing " William Robertson & Co.
Upon the fifth floor Isaac +. Chase has
Just fitted the rooms at a cost OF over Sl0.-
o. for the manufacture of belt hooks. At
the rear of his building, extending back
over the rear of the others buildings, were
three floors recently erected. Two vi these
were occupied BY Hahn. The third floor
had just been fitted up for the manufacture
Of tubing, with very expensive machinery.
From this point the fire extended 10 the
Aldrich House. the IRE communicating
through the roof
The loss is estimated at between $50 600
and 500, 900.
On the lower floor Of the hotel were the
Offices Of the National Enpres. Company
+. J. Favre, watch maker and ;eweler, aud
A. Barroom and +. +. T. Green's printing
offices. The next building % suecumb was
that occupied by Ethan Allen as a carriage
repository, which Was totally DESTROYED,
most OF the contents being saved Adioin-
ing Mr.. Aliens building stood the Ex.
change Hotel, owned by Harriet Z. and
George l. Barnes II was soon a prev u
the devourins element.
Assistance had been summoned from
Pawtucket, East Providence, Johnston and
Woonsocket and the Boston department
vas asked to hold itself in readiness.
A heavy mass Of sparks wen, rushing and
tumbling before the northwest gale across
Westminster Broad and Pine streets, and
owe, Eddy and Richmond streets, big no,
Goals dropping along the way Several
other alarms were struck from fires set by
the flying embers and scores of building.
were set on fire. Never in the history Of
the department have the firemen had such
battle with the flames under such condi.
tons and never have they suffered in their
heroic service TO such an extent The
freezing blast and the paralyzing cold nearly =
froze the marrow in their bones but thev
fought on bravely, regardless of every.
thing but the thought ths, the city wss In
danger.
The Aldrich house burned slowly and II
vas evident that il the flames were not soon
checked there, . vide path would be cut
through the heart of the retail business sec.
ton The fire concentrated ali their en-.
ergies upon the task of coniinins the flames
70 the north side of Washington street, and,
although other buildings took fire, they
succeeded in their efforts. At4a. m, the
fire vas under control and the stout granite