The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-07
THREE FIRES.
A Blind Burning Does Damage
on Third Street.
Magner's Hall and Two Dwellings on Corbett
Road Are Totally Consumed-Losses
and Insurance.

Three fires occurred last night, each sit
uated in different part of the city. All
the alarms were rung in within half
hour.
Had they been more extensive the re-
sources of the Fire Department would
have been inadequate to cope with the
dangerous element
As it was the flames in two cases were
only got under control after sharp fight,
but in the third the buildings attacked were
burned to cinders.
Both the firemen and their SUPERIOR Off
GERS were heard congratulating themselves
and the city that the fires were not larger
and had not been given a chance to gain
headway.
The first blaze threatened almost a half
block of Third street. At II o'clock an
alarm was turned In from Box IS for a fire
which started in the basement Of II. Joost's
grocery store, on Third and Everett streets.
The fire was blind one ana puzzled the
fremen. Smoke was seen issuing from the
basement in dense volumes, and it was al
most impossible to locate the flames.
AS soon as the engines arrived sensa-
tional rumor was started that man had
been suffOcated III the cellar, where he had
gone to look after two horses. A search
cellar made at great risk. The firemen
could not go far, but went far enough to
see that the horses were dead. There was
no trace OF any man.
1t was afterward found that the grocery
man had attempted to go into the cellar,
but had been frightened away by the
smoke, and in the excitement it was sup
posed that he had been lost.
There was stored in the cellar a large
quantity of coal oil and hay. The cellar ex-
I'd fot, 4 k,,,l
part under the grocery was used as a stable.
The other parts were used as stOrehouse
for boxes and old goods.
The coal oil caught fire :and soon burned
fiercely. 1t ignited the boxes and the
flames burst through the flooring of Fishers
restaurant, 134 Third street. at the sight of
which several men, who were taking
meal. rushed out into the street, followed by
the proprietor carrying his cash. This
store was very badly burned. The pro-
prietor had his stock and fixtures insured
for $1,000. but he claims his loss will not be
covered by this amount.
Chapman'S hat-store, 1856 Third street,
was also attacked by the flames, and the
stock badly burned and ruined by water.
The chemical engine could not be used, as
the fire was too heavy for it. In conSe-
quence, the usual damage done by water in
creased the losses. Chapman's losses are
placed at $500.
G. Michael. boot and shoe dealer, had his
stock and fixtures badly damaged. His loss
is $500.
Maurice Doyle & Co., blacksmiths, whose
place is on Everett street, back of the gro
eery, met with loss of 500.
ii. Joost the grocery proprietor, had his
place insured for $500, but his stock was
only damaged to the extent of $500. The
building 1876 and 13S Third street is owned
by ID. +. Harrington aud is insured.
The building next door, 130, 132 and 1874
Third street, is owned by Mrs. John j.
Marks. who is also insured.
The damage to both buildings is placed
at S2000 as the flames were confined to the
cellar, and only consumed parts of the first
floor.
Mr.. Joost, the proprietor of the grocery,
claims that the fire was the work of an in
cendiary. When asked whom he suspected,
he refused to tell who it was, but said he
had his reasons for so believing.