The morning call., 1892-05-30

The fremen under the direction of the
Chief, Assistant Chief Sullivan and the
District Engineers went to work with will.
Streams were brought to bear from Ere
mont Beaie and Howard streets, but with
little effect on the RAPIDLY spreading flames.
With such Iightning-like rapidty did the FIRE
extend that the firemen soon had TO retreat
from the Fulton Irou Works in short or
der. They got out just in time. for portions
OF the roof fell in with a deafenIng roar,
burying everything beneath ii. Within half
an hour the flames had swept through the
iron works, wrecked the three-s'Ory brick
building at 213 Fremont street, used as the
office, and communicated with the tinder-
like structure of the California Car Works.
This building was also consumed in short
order, and only small portion IN which
the Office was situated escaped.
Amid the roaring of the flames, the crash
ing of falling timbers and machinery, two
firemen remained at their post of duty on
ladder which had been run up to the roof Of
the ear works. They were Michael Greg
gains and Peter DOnnelly, hosemen Of En-
CINE Company g. Bravely they carried the
pipe up as far as the second story, although
burning portions Of the roof and c0ynices
were taking eff and falling in dangerous
proximity TO their heads. Their foreman
shouted to them to retreat, but his voice
was drowned by the cracking OF the flames.
Suddenly large cornice on the front Gf the
uttered a cry Of horror as the mass descended
upon the two men and swept them from
the ladder. AT first both were stunned and
appeared to be seriously injured. They
were removed to their homes and physicians
summoned. Greggains was found TO be
badly bruised and cut about the head, and
his spine was injured. D0nnelly escaped
with a few cuts and bruises, and during the
afternoon was able TO report for duty.
During the progress of the flames the
other firemen had no time to think OF their
unfortunate companions. From the ruins
of the Fulton Iron Works the fire spread
northward to the one-story frame building,
203 and 205 Fremont street, occupied by NJ.
Greenberg & Sons brass works and Van
brakes machire-shop. This building and
its contents were also wrecked. Inc two
story frame at the southeast corner OF FIRE.
mont and Howard, owned and occupied as
a saloon and dwelling by G. NJ. Ahrens, was
damaged on the roof. Ahreas' two-story
frame building adjoining, which was occu-
pied by Outsen d Bruins feed-mlll, was
also badly scorched, and considerable dam
age was done 10 the contents.
Tile southwark progress of the flames was
checked by the fouI-stOry brick building
of Whittier, Fuller & Co.'s Pioneer Lead
and Paint Works, which fronts at 229 and
231 Fremont and also extends to Beale
street. The fire scorched and blackened
the walls of the big building, but did little
damage TO il beyond burning two wooden
tanks on the roof.
On the west side of Fremont street The
row of one and two-story frame structures
were scorched by the intense heat and were
saved only by hard battle. These build
ings were occupied by the Pacific Gas En-
CINE Company. Harding Electrical Manu-
featuring Company, California Copper
Works, Phoenix Iron Works and the Belts
Spring Works.
Within an hour and half after the alarm
sounded the flames were under control.
During the progress OF the fire the fremen
were hampered by the usual bursting Of
high-priced hose and scarcity of hydrants.
There were only six hydrants available in
the vicinity, and in several instances they
we're located 1900 feet from the fire. The
officers of the department say there should
be about "a hydrants located in the district
where there are now only six.
All day and until after dark two streams
were kept playing upon the smoldering
ruins of the wrecked establishments. Dur
ing the afternoon many spectators visited
the scene OF the fire, and 1t required squad
of police to keep them away from the ruins
The larger buildings burned were owned by
those who occupied them and erected upon
ground leased from the McCullom estate.
There was insurance upon all the prOperty
destroyed, but not enough TO cover The
losses. Captain White of the Underwrit-
ers' Fire Patrol figured up the losses at
$4,000 on the buildings aud $4,000 on the
contents. Those who were burned ont.
however, say the damages will greatly ex-
ceed these figures.
Messrs. Spiers and Hayes of the firm OF
Hinckley, SpierS & Hayes of the Fulton
Iron Works we're experimenting the haul
Ing out OF big safe from the ruins of the
office when interviewed in reference to the
fire and their future plans.
I'VE had only $4,000 insurance" said
Mr. Hayes, "and at present we believe our
losses will foot up over $500, 1000. During
the a years we have been in business here
fire has visited us twice. The fire OF 1887
was con fined to the machine shops. but to-day
the whole works is q total wreck. The ma