Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-01
FIRED BY LIGHTNING.
THE CITY RAILWAY STABLES BURNED
THIS MORNING.
sixty Horses and Mules Perish-The Cars
sayec-The Loss and Insurance
Not Known.

The stables Of the Richmond City Rail
way Company, at the corner of Main and
Lombardy streets, were burned soon after
midnight this morning.
The building was struck by lightning
about midnight, aud the hay and straw
caused ii to burn rapidly and made an i'm
mense blaze.
HORSES PERISH.
Two hundred and ten horses and mules
were in their stalls at the time. and by
hard work probably $50 were sayed-about
sixty being burned to crisp. m
The harness was also destroyed. The
cars were all saved, as the part Of the struc-
ture in which they were kept was sepa-
rated from the stable portion a short dis
tance. However. the cars were all run out
of the building into the street for fear the
flames would reach their quarters.
THE LIoHTSING's STROKE.
One Of the car-drivers told Dispatch re-
porter that he saw the lightning as it came
down AID struck in the portion OF the
house in which the feed was stored away.
Instantly the flames issued forth.
The employees Of the ear company, many
of whom we're near at hand, became panic
stricken. though none of them felt the et-
feet OF d shock. The men Immediately set
to work TO save the teams. and when the
fire became too hot they turned their at
tention to saving the cars.
THE ALARM
Some delay was caused amid the excite
in turning in the alarm. but finally 1t was
sent from Box 81, at the corner OF
Main and Harvie streets. When the
department arrived il was too late
to save the stable portion of the structure,
but by hard work the Office, which fronts
on Nam street. and the car-sheds imme-
diately IN the rear were saved.
THE PEOPLE GATHER.
The immense blaze attracted the atten-
| tion OF persons in all parts Of the city who
| happened TO be out at that hour, and
many went to the scene of the fire. The
crowd was very large one and they stood
in the mud and water for over an hour
watching the progress OF the fire.
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
Superintendent st. Amand had inst left
| his Office a few minutes before the fire
| broke out. He noticed the light in the di-
rection of the stables Just as he reached
his home and fearing it might be the pro-
| perty over which he Is manager, returned,
| to End his fears well founded. He direct
| ed the movement of cars. and it was
through his wise counsel that they were
saved.
THE LOSS.
Mr. St. Amand told Dispatch representa-
| tive that it would be impossible for him to
estimate their losses without further in
yestigation. The building and horses were
| insured. he said, but could not tell the
amount without reference 10 the companvs
| books. The only losses are the building,
about sixty horses and mules, harness, and
| feed.
RUNNING OF CARS TO-DAY.
Tho Superintendent could not tell when
seen what effect the losses would have
upon the running Of cars to-day. He was
! OF opinion. however. that he could get
| feed enough early this morning for the
teams and put several of the cars 10 run
ming. OF course, under the circumstances.
the service viii be very imperfect for to-
day, at least.
TIRE BUILDING.
The building was Of brick. and only the
walls are left standing. The office portion
is next 10 Main street, and directly 10 the
rear are the car-sheds. All this part of the
structure escaped the flames The stables
were ID the rear of the car-sheds. and ran
back 10 q short street which leads from
Plum % LOmbardy.
The fire was burning between the walls
at o'clock this morning, there being quite
a blaze at that time. IL was, however, un-
ia easy control
As far as could be- learned no one was in
jured in the attempt 10 save the property,
though some escapes were remarkable.
The bodies of the mules and horses were
burned to a crisp. 1t was a pitiable sight
10 see the poor animals rearing and kicking
against the flames, and then lie down To-
uerieh