Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1889-07-11
ELLENSBURo DESTROYED ny
FIRE,

ELLESsBuRd, W. T.. July 5, Special. I
len blocks in the best portion of the
city are in ashes, nearly one hundred
families are homeless, ard what was
yesterday thriving business center, is
now mass of ruins. Owing to the ex.
cltement and confusion it is impossible to
ascertain how the fire originated, but it
|, presumed that it was the result of the
celebration of the rational holiday, as it
started soon after the display Of firework.
last evening. The flames started On the
north side Of the city about 10 o'clock 10
the evening, aud with very strong wind
blowing from the northeast.
The fire department was promptly
called out but could do nothing to check
the rapid advance of The conaasra,ion,
which, within an hour, spread to the
business center. Help was telesrsphed
for from neishborins towns, but long
before it could reach the scene the flames
had literally wiped out the heart of the
city and commencing to spread among
the residences on the south side, 1t
was not until the main portion of food
for the fire had been consumed that
there were any signs Of abatement, aud
it was nearly morning before the fireman
secured any rcsult from their ,ireless
IF, The cessation Of the wind had
a tendency to aid the firemcn in check.
iny the progress of the FIRE, aud at this
hour it is thought the flames are under
control, or will be confined to the build
irgs now burning While it is impossi
bic to form a close idea Of the amount OF
loss, it is estimated the sum will run w
to many hundred thousands. All of the
leading hotels, the handsome Nash
Opera House block, City hall, Board Of
Trade building, Snipes & Co.'S bauk, il
fact all business blocks in Pine and
Pearl, and Third, Fourth and Filtt
streets, are consumed, excepting only
the First National bank building
Bloomer L. O'Conner's dry goods house
Go,zcin's shoe store, one saloon and on
general store.
Fire broke out at 4 o'clock last nj h
5 in tho grocery store Of j. 7. Anthem.
{ on Main street. A high wind prevail
g ins. It soon spread to the adjoining fran
, hn;,;nrs and then got beyond control O
,!.e Au.ited fire department, swecpiu
r the entire business portion of the city
embracing Main street from Fifth t
First, Fourth from NJ in to Pine, Thir
,, from Water to Sprague, Pearl fror
e Fifth to Second covering an area OF te
blocks and the business heart of the city
The only brick buildings left are tn
a Lynch block and the Ellcnsburs Nations
! bank
. Two hundred houses we're destroye
a and the space burnt over is ten blocks, {
: about fifty acres. The loss, as far as ca
E be sscertained, is two millions, $4,000
u in buildings and 100000 in goods. I'll
8 fire exhausted itself after burning fV
) hours.
The Ellensburg sufferers are insure
for $4,000 in Portland. Following
g list of amounts placed with each cou
e pauy: Liverpool and London an
? Globe $4,000; New Zealand, Nortl
!, west FIRE and Marine aud the commerce
$ Union $4,000 each Columbia Fire
;, Marine $1,000; Home Mutual $4,000
It James Laidlaw's agency $4,000 Gregg
Fire and Marine $500; Scottish Unit
!, and National $500; Pacific Iusurau
% and State Investment Companies 81, OF
q each.-Review.