The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-07-03
DURANGO's GREAT FIRE.
The Loss Nearly Half "A Minion-HaiIey.
Idaho, Suners.

The Loss Nearly Half a Mnlfon-HaiIey
Idaho. suffers.
DENVER. July Additional particulars
received form the Durango conhagration
say: AS soon as the fire was discovered
the entire force of the fire department was
called out, but the streams of water poured
upon 1t seemed TO aggravate the flames
until the firemen were compelled to beat a
hasty retreat Attention was turned
towards confhing the flames to that part of
the town lying north OF II street. but this
the fremen were unable 10 do, for it had
become so hot that il was utterly impossf-
BILE 10 get close to it. Notwithstanding the
wind was blowing in diagonal direction
to the roof of the city hall on the south side
of II street it took fire, and the building
along with row of frame buildings on the
city hall property were consumed. The
building occupied by NJ. l.. Green as a bak
cry, with that occupied by Misses Teal and
Boyle and McClosky, were consumed, then
il returned to the block where the FIRE orig
mated
The remaining part of the block lying 70
the north was consumed. and crossing the
street the Boston and thf Wilders photo
graph galleries, Chapman's hardware
store, the Grand Central livery stables the
Clipper theatre. the Idea Office and some
twenty dwelling houses were completely
destroyed. The court house, in which are
the vaults containing the county aud court
records, was the next building doomed IL
was only the work OF an instant when the
large structure was mass of
flames The old Sherman house across
the street and north from the Grand
Central, was a target for the flames that
were leapinR madly TO the south and west.
Ii went in jlffy, together with four or five
buildings, when Galloway's livery stable
went along with the rest as did also row
of residences in the same block facing Sec
oDd street The names were not satisfied
with their deadly work, but skipped across
Second and / streets TO the Methodist
church and parsonage. The PRESBYTERIAN
and Episcopal churches then caught FIRE
and with fifteen dwellings adjoining were
completely destroyed.
The burned district comprises eight
blocks in the center or the city and about
twenty i've dwelling houses. The firemen
did noble work, and many of them were
burned about the face and hands
The loss u variOusly estimated at from
$500, 600 to S5OO.OOO, insured for about one
third. At least 100 families are left home
less and destitute and will need assistance.
Many saved only the clothes they had on
their back Insurance agencies estimate
the loss by the FIRE at about $500, 900, with
$4,000 to $50. 900 insurance.
HALEY, Idaho, July Pour business
blocks burned this morning; loss, $780, 600.
WASHINGTON. Pa, July 2-Lightning
this evening struck a forty thousand barrel
iron oil tank belonging TO the Western a
Atlantic Pipe Line company. and located
with several others of similar size at John
sons station, on the Charters railroad six
miles north OF Washington. The tank
contained 5000 barrels of fluid, and at this
hour p. IN, Is burning at a lively rate.
Men are hard at work digging trenches In
order TO lead the oil of in the least danger
Gus directions An effort will be made 20
shoot the tank. which will allow the oil 10
run ont from the lower part and probably
keep the oil from boiling over and setting
other tanks on fire.