New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-24
HALF A TOWN BURNED.
FEW STORES LEFT IN POCOMOKE, MD.
MANY PEOPLE HoMELEss-Two THOUSAND IN
| HABITANTs WITHOUT FIRE APPARATUS.
IBY TKLEGRArH TO THE rRIBUNE.]

HABITANTS WITHOUT FIRE APPARATUS.
1Br TELEGRAPH rRrBusE]
Baltimore, Nov. 23-sxty buildings in the thriving
town Of Pocomoke City in the southern part OF Wor-
cester County burned last night, the losses
amounting to several hundred thousand dollars, only
about one-thr covered by insurance. Many families
rendered homeless and the business Industries
Of the place parayzed The fire broke out last
Ing in the heart of the town, and from the start the
flames beyond the control of the bucket brigade
Although the town is situated the PocOmoke River,
there fire engine TO pump the water, ard tele
grams sent to Salisbury and other towns for
sistance Meanwhile the flames were spreading, and
the $500 residents Of the town panic-strcken.
A strong northeast wind blowing and showers Of
sparls fell over the shingled roofs Suddenly there
explosion OF chemicals in the drug store and
of blazing wood thrown the roof
of the Clarke House. the principal hotel in the town
carriage factory the drug store caught the
flames about the time and in hour after the
fire started whole block OF buildings blazing.
About this time the Salisbury fire company arrived,
and 1t mainly through their efforts that about half
the town saved.
There are not half dozen stores left In the town.
Tho town and county Newspaper Offices burned
and the residents of the place who saved their
homes temporarily accommodating those who
lost both home and business number of the
merchants ruined, they had large stocks Of
the poor people wandered in the streets stricken
and mourning their losses. No lives lost but
there were number Of narrow escapes of persons
who incurred great risk In trying to their goods
and clothing. All the residents of the town moved
furniture and belongings out Of their homes. Even
those whose properly was not touched by the flames
had torn UP their carpets and umbed their furniture
and bedding out the damp streets AS all the
grocery stores and butcher shops were destroyed,
there was a scarcity Of food this morning. and the
private supplies of the fortunate families were
literally divided Later in the day the butchers, the
bakers and the grocers received supplies and eopcned
their shops in private houses The town is the line
of the NewYork, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad
and does large business in the manufacture of build
ers' supplies and vessel building. Nearly half the
insurance on last nights fire falls the Montgomery
Mutual Company. Steps have already been taken TO
rebuild the burned portion, though 1t is feared that
the business interests Of the town have received
hard blow POcomOhe Is the third Mary and town that
has been swept by fire in the last three years.
The losses now estimated at about S2OOOOO
insurance $3.50 0"0, principally in the following com
p3nies The Kent Mutual of Mary land. $4,000 the
Montgomery. of Maryland $1,000. the Gens Falls
and the Continental, Of New-York; the rman.
baltimore. the Ael ma. the Home, the Liverpool, the
Globe and other companies.