Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-21

each received slight burns. Mr.. Snaman's
total loss is $40, 900 on the stock, and there
is S., 1000 damage to the building. The other
losses run the total up to 500, 900. All but
about S10,O 900 is covered by insurance, most
of which is placed with local companies.
In the morning it was discovered that the
natural gas was leaking in the cellar. Mr..
Snaman and Inspector f. G. billiard
went to hunt it. Hilliard struck
a. match, and the next instant the
whole block was shaken by the
explosion. Many of the employees were
knocked down by the shock, and a roll of
carpet was thrown clear out on Federal
street.
ALL THE EMPLOYEES ESCAPED.
The employees had barely time to escape
before the entire building burst into flames.
Chief Jones, of the Allegheny Fire Bureau,
was near the building when the explosion
occurred, and had time to send in the alarm
at City Hall before the flames burst out.
The explosion and the SCATTERING of glass
at once attracted an immense crowd. 1t was
at first supposed that some of the clerks
were buried in the ruins, but while attempts
were DeluR mduo 10 IcSCu6 anyone WHO
might AVE been in the building all of the
employees were found in the streets.
The entire department was called out, and
BY the time they arrived flames were burst
ing out from every floor. 1t was feared that
7. M. Lstimer's great drygoods house, Just
above, and a half a block of smaller stores
below, would be swept away. Chief Jones,
however, fought the fire from all sides and
succeeded in combining the flames to the Sna-
man building. For a time it was thought
this would be impossible, as the fire threat
n to catch from the tops of the buildings.
HOW CHIEF SAVED THE LOCK.
One of the extension ladders was run up
and two of the engines were siamesed. By
this means they were able to pour a heavy
stream right into the center of the fire, and
by o'clock it was completely under con-
troll, but not until the building was entirely
Quilted.
The loss on Mr.. Snaman's $40, 900 worth
of stock is total. He has $50, 900 insurance
in local companies. The portion OF T.. NJ.
Latimer's store, at 1873 Federal street, was
much damaged, as we'll as the rear of the
South Diamond street department. His
loss is about $4,000, caused mostly by
water and smoke. The buildings, which are
owned by John P. Dean, of Ellsworth, and
the Elliott heirs are damaged $500, which
is covered by insurance. Mr.. Latimer's
insurance is $3.50, 900. A portion of it is
placed as follows: Orient, $4,000; Lam
London Assurance, $1,000; American
Central, 81, 800; Western, $1,000; st. Paul,
$1,000; Armenia, 50, 800; Union, $780,;
Imperial, So, 200; Allemannia, $4,000; Boat
mems 50, 500; Ben Franklin, 50, 800; Mu-
tual, g, 500; Humboldt, 50, 500.
The Snaman building is owned by Captain
II. NJ. Dunlap. 1t cost about 800, 900, and
So, 900 will put it in as good shape as it was
before. The walls are still good. In fact
Building Inspectors Brown and Hoffman
went to Allegheny Yesterday, and at the
request of Chief Murphy, examined the
building. They report the walls safe and
in such condition that if properly braced
and cared for at once, would not weaken.
They found the building had been unusually
we'll constructed, else the walls would have
fallen. Tho owner of the building also re-
quested the opinion of the inspectors, and
he promised to follow their instructions i'm
mediately.
GEORGE SNAMAN'S RUSH o LIFE.
After the explosion, and just as soon as
Mr.. Snsman and Inspector billiard realized
what had happened, they rushed for the
stairway. purSueu ny Tile udHeS. DlllIdTu
fell when he reached the pavement, and was
carried across the street to Klages' furnish
ing store. Mr.. Snaman was also taken there,
and later was removed to the Allegheny
General Hospital. No one was allowed to
see him, but the physicians said he would be
able to be out by tomorrow. Hilliard was
also taken home. His burns are not serious.
Miss Minnie Matthews, the cashier, was
knocked down but managed to escape into
the alley. A. W. Lease with his lady Gus
toners was on the third floor, but he man
aged to get them down stairs safely. The
elevator boy deserted his post and those on
the fifth floor had to come dow the stairs.
Miss Ella Agey was the only person who
was in any way injured. She had her thigh
injured and was slightly burned.
In the house across Pine alley, in the rear
of the Snaman building, there was great ex-
element. Mrs. Decker was thrown from
her chair. Mrs. Young, who lives next to
her, had her hand burned while trying to
close a shutter. The fronts of the houses
were badly scorched and some of the furni-
ture in them was ruined by water. The
entire loss there is about $500. Very little
of it is covered by insurance. The only
other loss was that sustained by James Nc
Cutcheon, who has a hardware store at 1874