The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-27
FIRE SWEEPS A THEATER
RVICKER's FAMOUS PLAYHOUSE
BADLY DAMAGED.

The Flames Discovered at $50 O'clock
in the Morning-The Guests OF Ad.
joining Hotels Flee to the Street in q
Panic-The Total Loss over $780,
600.
CHICAGO, Aug. 26.-Fire was discovered
in McVicker's theater on Madison street, be-
tween State and Dearborn streets, at $3.50
o'clock this morning. As far as can be-
learned the flames originated in small
smoking room under and to the west of the
stage. The dry aud inhammable mate
rial of the room furnished material
for blaze, and in a moment fierce flames
burst out through a side window in the
alley. As soon as the fremen arrived on
the scene they directed stream of water
through the windows from which the flames
were coming. Smoke filled the entire
building, and badly damaged the valuable
scenery of the Shenandoah Company, now
performing in the building.
RAN LIKE wfLDFfRE.
The fire made unexpected headway In the
interior of the building, and in thirty min
utes after its discovery made its way from
the basement to the roof. The flames ap-
parently enveloped the whole building, and
from all the windows on the west and east
sides of the alley.
When it was seen what rapid head.
way the flames were making, addi-
tional help was summoned and every effort
was directed to saving the front portion OF
the building, where a number of offices
were located. Nearly every occupant is
heavy loser, although none carried heavy
stocks
HOTEL IN DANGER.
The flames burst from the rear Of tho
building with such fury that they extended
across the alley and threatened destruction
to the Windsor European Hotel Many of
the guests in the hotel we're awakened aud
panic resulted. The people hastily
grabbed their clothing and made their way
to the street. There was no occasion for
guarded the hotel SO well that
the flames had no chance of communicating
with the building. The panic also seized
the guests OF the Saratoga hotel and Ben
nett house, but the fire did not reach either
place.
MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.
Seven men belonging to fire insurance
| patrol No. / were in the auditorium at work
when the roof fell In shortly after o'clock.
| They all escaped by a miracle. Not so for
| tunate, however, were the meu who
were fighting the fire in the rear
of the building. When the rear
wall fell all the men, seven In
number, were buried in the ruins. All
were more or less hurt, and fireman Jack
Duffy had his skull fractured and will prob
ably die. The total loss to the theater
building and its occupants is estimated at
over 100000 Horace McVicker, the pro-
prietor, says his own loss will reach over
| $1,000 Several stores on State street
caught fire, but the flames were soon ex-
tinguished and the damage will be nominal.
BURNED FOR THREE HOURS.
The fire burned fercely for about three
hours. The walls remain standing, but the
interior is gutted. The firemen were success
full in keeping the flames from the front OF
the building, and the offices there were not
damaged at all by fire. The damage to the
theater and its contents, including the
scenery belonging to the Shenandoah Com
pany, is estimated at 100000. The in
surance is 100000. Just how the fire
started Is shrouded in mystery. There are
suspicious of incendiarism. The theater
will be rebuilt at once, and as quickly as
| DOssibe-