The morning call., 1892-05-23
FOUR BLOCKS DESTROYED.
An InceHdiary Fire in Chehalis, Wash.
Causes $1ll,S5O Damage.

PORTLAND, May 22-The 0regonian's
Chehalis (Wash) specialssys: A fire started
this morning on the upper floor OF SONS
vacant buildings on Main street, belonging
to George Gregg, ana was not quenehed
until four blocks of wooden building mad
been destroyed, entailing a total loss Of
S111Sj0. partly covered by insurance OF
S34, 600. For several weeks past the build
ing in which the fire started has been the
resort for tramps and loafers. The Fire
Department and citizens volunteered their
assistance and made magnificent efforts to
save the adjacent buildings, but with ths
miserable facilities at hand were compelled
to become powerless spectators to the
destruction of their property.
A chemical engine the only protection
against fire in the city, was charged and dis
charged as rapidly as possible, but accom-
piished nothing.
Aided by the Winds.
a strong north wind was blowing, and
the block across the street, together with
some buildings below, were enveIopei
within 20 minutes.
-Four blocks Of wooden buildings were in
the midst OF a sea of flame within 40 min-
utes after the alarm was sounded. So
fierce was the heat that the fire made its
way back against the wind, taking Rein harts
store and Nofteseger's store and dwell
Ing, as we'll IS the Long building and the
store building of John Mairs. The Odd
Fellows Hall and the Courthouse were pro-
tected by intervening vacant spaces, aud
the progress of the fire was stODred. The
iron roof of the Long building, wbi%a
smothered the fire below it when il feR,
saved the Courthouse and Odd Fellows
Hail.
The Centralia steamer arrived after de-
lay of nearly an hour and a half, but it
came too late to render assistance, as the
fire was burned out. So rapidly had tha
blaze spread from building TO building that
but little was saved by the residents and
business men in the entire district The
following are tile principal losers and their
insurance:
Losses in Detail.
BrOckway Bros, building, loss $500, in
surance $500; BrOckYay Bros, stock,
$1,000; Albany Mills, 5000; insurance
$500; Z. McClintie, barn. $1,000. insurance
$50; j. D. Rice, stock, so, co., insurance
$500; J. D. r, two buildings, $1,000, insur-
ance $1,000; James Mitchell, $500, insur-
ance $1,000; III. Dobson two buildings,
$1,000; Mrs. Barrett, residence and nthec
buildings, 5000; Frank Miller, two build
ings, $1,000, Insurance $1,000; NJ. Reinhart,
stock, $4,000 insurance $4,000: Mrs. NOfteseger,
stock and furniture, $500, insurance $500;
w. A. Press, TWO buildings and stock. 5000.
insurance 1920; A. Manerman, building.
$1,000, insurance $1,000; George Gregg. three
buildings, $4,000; A. S. Moss, goods. $1,000;
n. Gagnon. building and stock, $780, insur-
ance $1,000; John Haller, $500, insurance
5000; S. Hylander, $500. insurance $500;
Mrs. Conrad, $4,000; IL. j. Brooks, $1,000;
Long Bros, $500. insurance $1,000. There
was a number of smaller losses.
The fire was. beyond doubt, started by an
incendiary, though no conclusive evidence
has yet been found. The City Marshal has
made half a dozen arrests Of vags. Ths
town was full of them this morning.