, 1889-01-03
FIRE IN ST. LOUIS.
The Richardson Drug Company's Busld
Ing DemoIished. -Loas, 100000.

Ing Demobished' -LOss, $1,000
ST.. LoJIs. Jan. 2 2-Richsrdscn's q whole
sale drug store, situated about two hum
dred yards from the Southern hotel. was
discovered on FIRE at o'clock yesterday
morning The flames spread among the
inasmmable contents OF tue store with in
creditable rapidity, accompanied by fire.
quent explosions Of drugs and oils. IL
was feared for time that the entire block
would 20. but after IN horr's bard work,
the flames were gotten under control. The
drug house 10 nearly u total loss. The
building fronted 12O feet on
Fourth street and ran back on
Clark avenue 200 feet and back
of this was N. three story brick warehouse
used by the firm to store explosives
and highly cou,bustible goods and oils.
So fierce was the Gre that in five minutes
after the alarm was turned In the building
across the street was smoking and about
to burst into flames. Every few minutes
terrible explosion would detonate
throughout the buildings. When every
pane OF glass was out of the window
tongues Of flame lcaped out and their heat
made the narrow street u sheol for the fire.
men, who toiied with bursting and burn
ing hose to save property. Their coats
smoked and their hands were bistered.
The entire xix floors were filled with com.
being extremely intlammable. On the
thlrd iloor were paints and oils. The fire
seemed to get an early hold here,
and oils were dripping through
the first two stories. A fountain
OF fire played from basement to
roof, defyng all efforts to check it. 1t
was an awful sight, from the 6rst two
minutes after the discovery until o'clock,
wnen the building collapsed. The Rich.
ardson Drug Company was the outgrowth
OF the business founded forty years ago by
James Richard, on the present PRESIDENT.
The building was erected several years ago
at "A cost OF 81 600. and was one of the
largest Wholesale drug houses in the coun-
try. The buildings in close proximity to
the lire were scene OF tremendous excite
ment. The Ehler house, at 209 South
Fourth street, occupied by boarders, was
the scene Of panic. Scores OF frightened
women and men rushing to and fro after
their friends created much terror and final
ly the tiremen came TO their assistance and
all the occupants were rescued. Woess
was destroyed, and at 404 and 4l0
story brick houses " was va also
the scene Of fright and the oc-
cupants had only time to escape. AT 2
Z. M. the most exciting epoch of the fire
occurred, when several great explosions of
benzine and other explosive drugs occurred
almost simultaneously with the falling of
the southeast corner Of the building, en-
dangering the life Of all the tiremen on
that portion of the work. The heavy cor
nices and coping stones on the top story
b. gan to Crack on the waving walls and
the tremen had only time to escape ffom
impending danger, when, with sudden
crash, that portion OF the building tell,
throwing burning fragments across Park
aven ue, setting fire to II. l.. Miller's bsk.
cry. two-story brick. and adjoining
buildings on the southeast corner of
Fourth street and ParF avenue. and cover.
ing the intersection OF the streets with
flames and smoke. 1t was expected that q
panic would occur in the Southern hotel
which is within almost half square of the
drug building, but the guests were quick
ly informed that there was no imminent
danger, and the ladies and gentlemen
leisurely came down to the corridors and
sidewalks ana windows of their rooms to
watch the scene. The loss on stock is
S695,000, insurance $3.50, 900. oS building
5000, 900. The origin of the FIRE iSnot yet
known.