, 1890-11-06
GRAND HOTEL BURNED
Disastrous Morning Fire at
San Francisco.
WAS SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION
California State Mineral Exhibit O
Total Loss-Narrow Escape
of Guests.

SAN Francisco, Nov. 3.-Shortly be
fore 3 O'Clock this morning fire was dis
covered under the Burlington house, ai'
joining tho Grand hotel, in the base
ment Of store occupied by Huetor
Brothers ,S Co., dealers in paint and ar
lists supplies. The flames spread rapidly
throughout the basement OF the block,
bounded by Market, New Montgomery,
Stevenson and Second streets and then
spread to the first floor, occupied by the
Hall Safe and Lock Company, Hall 4
Goldman, druggists supplies; board OF
trade rooms; Pullman Palace Car Com
pany's Office; Great Northern railroad
ticket Office and rooms of the Syndicate
Investment Company.
The smoke III tile meantime had
aroused the inmates of the Grand and
Burlington, anu the frightened guests
rushed to the sidewalk with what yalua-
bles they could carry. The fire soon shot
up through the ght elevator In t b g rear
OF the Grand hotel and disastrous con-
tlagrntion was looked for. A general
alarm brought the remainder of the tire
department to the scene. Tho front OF
Hueter Brothers ~ Co.'S store blew out
with loud explosion, and large
volume Of smoke poured out, almost
overcoming the hremen.
Jacob underhill, wine merchant
was overcome by smoke in the Grand
and was carried out unconscious.
Cashier Weeks, of the Grand, who is n
cripple, was almost overcome when he
was assisted out by the elevator boy.
A New YORK travelling man named
Murdock was ON the top floor of the
Burlington when called. He thought
he could save his trunk, and went back.
While getting his Things together the
flames burst through the door, singeing
his hair, and he narrowly escaped with
his life.
There were several other narrow es-
capes. by 3 o'clock the flames had
spread along the eastern end of the
block, bursting from roof and windows.
The wind was slight, and the efforts of
the tiremen to couiine the tire within
the block occupied by the Burlington
and Grand were successful. About 4
o'clock the roof of the Burlington hotel
fell in, carrying a part OF that OF the
Grand.
:ln short time the interior of the Bur
lington was complete wreck, and the
front of the Grand, on Market street
together with the eastern end, was
almost ruin. The western end was
saved. The first floor OF the Burling-
ton, on Second street, was occupied by
G. III. Hirst millinery and novelties; C.
l.. Downing proprietary medicines; f.
III. Wardwell, window shades and Tx
ings. These were Quilted, as were also
lIueter Il Co.'S, the board OF trade rooms
and the Burr Folding Bed Compsny's
place OF business on Market street.
Southern Pacific. Central Pacific and
other offices under the Grand together
with Fay's saloon, were damaged by
water.
The fire is believed to be due to spon-
taneous combustion OF intla mmablc ma.
terial in Heuter Il Co.'S store The in
terror OF the Grand hotel is not dam
aged to the extent first believed, and it is
now stated the total loss Will probably
not exceed one-third of the estimate.
The Burlington loss on furniture and
building Is oU,OoO; insurance, $4,000
Hueter Bros. loss is $4,000. L.. H.
Wardwell, $1,000; fully insured. The
Grand hte oar WAS badly damaged by
tire aud water. The loss to the Grand
building and furniture is $4,000. The
tine collection OF minerals aud exhibits
of the state board OF trade will be an en-
tire loss.
The water tower recently purchased
by the department was used for the first
time at this mornings fire. 1t proved oil
great value iOr just such WORK as 1T had
To do then. 1t sent Volume of water
into the upper window OF the Burlington
that swamped the flames which at that
time enveloped the entire inside OF the
building. In fact, the water tower
Cleluged the lodging. house and did more
to stop the fire than all the engines. o.
T.. Downings loss Is $50, 900 The total
loss is estimated at Detwe n $3.50, OOO to
500, 900. Insurance light.