Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-06-22
Fatal Explosions and Fire.

A disastrous fire. accompanied by serl.
Gus loss of life, occurred early yesterday
evening in the fireworks establishment OF
Heyer Brothers, Boston. Three dead bodies
have been taken from the ruins, and three
persons received Injuries which will probably
result fatally. 1t is feared that there may
be moro victims among the debris. Shortly
after oe O'Clock, while salesman was wait
ing on customer upon the second floor, he
saw flash from some fireworks behind one
of the counters. unsccompaDied, by an ex
plosiop. He ran for water, and at the same
time giving the alarm. The tames shot
with almost incredible rspidity, cutting Oft
the escape of several of the men in the
upper stories, aud within five minutes the
dense smoke and almost incessant discharge
of fireworks of different kinds made In the
building perfect pandemonium for those
confined within its walls. Edward Heyer,
one OF the firm, ran to the stairs shouting
FIRE, then turned back to lock the safe, but
found the way choked with smoke. DE
aroped his way to the window, and managed
to climb TO an adjoining building unhurt.
Charles Albert Sage, aged twenty, who was
employed in the third story, hung from a
window until he was obliged to release his
hold, then fell to the ground, striking two
awnings in his descent, breaking bis back.
He will probably die. Charles F. Callahan
and Thomas Paine. packers, who were work.
ing on the fonrth floor, jumped from win.
dow in their fright. Paine was killed while
Callahan's injuries are most likely fatal.
William Brenenstuhl, who was on the Sec
ond floor, did good service in checking the
flames but in going for more water lost bis
way and rolled down the stairs, and was
picked up badly injured. He is also burned
internally by smoke and it is feared that he
cannot live. A body which was taken from
the building to the North Grove street
morgue, was recognized by MIR. Heyer as
Samuel! Cord, the chief packer. who was one
of the oldest employees ofthe firm. Another
body, that of boy, was also taken to the
morgue, where 1t has not yet been identified.
1t is charred and burned go badly identi6ca.
,ien will be difficult. The firm en-
piuyed about twenty or twenty-five
men and boys at the present time, and
were busy with their holiday trade. They
carried q stock of 100000 worth of fire.
works and $50, 900 to $50 900 worth of fancy
goods A large portion Of the stock is ruin
ed, although the loss is pot total. The hrm
is we'll insured. During the fire the dis.
charge of fireworks sounded as II hard
fought battle was In progress, and for nearly
two hours was heard the rattle of small mus
kerry. interspersed at frequent intervals
with the heavier reports of the larger pieces,
while sparks and an occasional rocket would
shoot from the windows. These explosions
created great CONSERVATION among the espeo.
tators. The fire was entirely confined to
the one building, and it was singular fact
that scarcely any flames came from the win
dows until after the frenen had the fire un.
der control The interior of the building
was completely ridded, but the walls were
left standing. There was no gunpowder
etored on the premises, and no smoking was
allowed, and the cause of the fire IL mys-
tery.