, 1889-11-29
Boston's Best Business Quarter
Swept by Flames.
Stately Business Blocks Give
Place to Desolation.
Five Million Dollars Added to
Lynn's Great Record.
Thrilling Scenes During the
Progress of the Fire.
The Boston Fire.

BosToN, Nov. 28.-1he most disas-
trous fire from which Boston has suffered
since 1872, and one which in property
loss rivals the great co~nflagration at Lynn
Tuesday, broke out about 500 this morn
ing In the six story granite building owned
by Jordan. Marsh & Co. and occupied by
Brown, Durrell & Co.. dry goods. on
Bedford street, corner of Kingston. The
great fire of 1872 broke out at the corner
of Kingston and Summer streets and the
alarm for to-day was rung in from the
same box which heralded tie memorable
conf1sgration which consumed nearly
500. 600, 900 worth of property. The
first alarm rung in to day was Immediately
followed by the first general alarm in Bos-
ton since 1872. To-day's fire ragged for
six hours and burned over two acres of
territory covered by magnificent structures
and the entailed loss is now estimated at
5000, 900.
General Alarm.
The general alarm was o followed by
calls upon all neighboring cities and towns
TOR assistance. Flames were soon pour
ing from all che windows and roof of the
Brown Durrell building. At s:45 they
had spread to the Shoe and Leather ex-
change building. another large granite
structure adjoining Brown. Durrell & Co.
on Bedford street. From other buildings
flames swept in great masses across Bed
ford street to the opposite corner, thence
across Kingston street and along Bedford
to Chauncey, where it was stopped in the
store of Fsrley. Harvey L Co. the upper
stories of which we're burned.
Three stores along Chauncey street to-
wards Summer wero burned. On the
south side of Bedford street the flames
jumped across Kingston street from
Brown. Durrell & Co. 8 to the big sand
stone building owned by +. l.. Ames and
occupied by Taylor Brothers, and this
was consumed.
The great granite building known as
the NevIns block at the corner of Chaun-
cey street was the next victim for the
flames and the entire block around Rowe
place to Kingston street was consumed.
Crossing Chauncey street the hre soon
wiped out all the stores which were
enclosed in Exeter place, a small street
running in front of Harrison avenue to
Chauncey street.
Here the fremen got control. At Rowe
place the fire was partially checked from
Roing toward Essex street, but quickly
moved toward the opposite side to the
Immense Allen q Larabee building, occu-
pying a square between Bedford street,
Harrison venue extension and Exeter
place, at which point further progress of
the fire was checked.
In Wild Confusion.
The scenes about the fire were replete
with excitement and activity. The terri
tory bounded by Kingston, Bedford and
Chauncey streets was the principal thea
tire of destruction. Here the fire levelled
everything within an hour after the
alarms sounded, while the structure of
Brown, Durrell 4 Co.'s building col
lapstd with a tremendous crash, the
flames were darting from the doors and
windows and the interior of the block was
a glowing furnace. The dry goods and
other combustible materials with which
the floors we're packed burned to a white
heat. Granite crumbled aud iron girders
melted away like ice. The streams from
the engines were d~issipated in vapor be-
fore they we're on the fire. Suddenly the
cry arose.. 1.-THE walls are %fallingl Back
BackT' The crowd surged back for their
lives. Startled by the shouts the fire.
men dropped their hose and ran to save
the apparatus.
Crushing Buildings.
There was a confused and deafening
roar and a dense cloud of smoke and dust
mounted ~heavenward. When it cleared
away the Injurious palace Of trade had