The record-union., 1892-07-04
FIRE AT SAN JOSE.
Two Hundred Thousand Dollars Worth
of Property Ruined.

Two Hundred Thousand Dollars Worth
of Property Ruined.
SAN JOSE, July 3.-At $50 o'clock last
evening fire broke out in the rear of
Kauber's shooting gallery on San Fer
nando street. The flames spread with
wonderful rapidity, and soon the Califor-
niaT heater, on Second street, and the
Lick House, on First street, were burn
ing. Before an alarm could be sent in
the fire had gained much headway. 1t
was not under control till 9:3O O'clock
By that time West San Fernando street
had been swept clean from First to Third
street-two blocks.
The fire had extended along the east
side of First street for half a block and
some distance on both sides of Second
and Third streets, burning all the busi-
ness houses and residences, including the
Lick House, California Theater, the Fire
Department engine-house and SOuth
Methodist Church. The total loss will
reach 100000. The insurance will prob
ably reach two-thirds of that amount.
The fire was caused by a boy, who
threw a lighted cigarette into the stock of
Fourth OF July fireworks IN the shoot
ing gallery. There was instantly an ex-
ploslon. On First street, in this block.
were some of the largest retail stores i'm
the town, besides the Lick House. the
large commercial hotel which occupied
the upper stories of half a block. These
all burned, though the contents of some
of the stores were saved.
The streets were crowded with people
during the progress of the fire, and there
was great excitement as they thoupbt
the entire block on the east side of First
street, between San Fernando and Santa
Clara, might be swept away. Long lines
Of n-rNe-Cs ,rragrx IL
of the stores within block on either side
of the burning district and laden with
goods and hurried to places of safety.
On Second street the California Theater
was the first to take fire. 1t was soon fol-
lowed by Black Il Sons commission
house, two saloons. and Leiber's sipn
works and smaller buildings. The fire
spread across the street and took the
South Methodist Church, the Empire Fire
Engine House, the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union Restaurant and sew
eral dwellings. Four dwellings between
Second and Third streets were consumed.
Then the Belloli building on Third street
and grocery with lodging-hous above
went: The fire spread rapidly along
Third street, burning two residences and
Kuchenbeiser IL Sons iron works before
it was brought under control. Joe Fault
fell from the top of Mckee 81 Co.'s ware
house and was badly hurt. There were
no other accidents.
The scene of the fire was visited nv
thousands of people to-day. With day-
light came people from all parts of the
city and surrounding country to see the
great work of destruction wrought. and
all day long crowds OF people were com
ing and going. Streams of water were
kept on the burning ruins and debris
until late this afternoon. A large amount
of goods was saved from the stores. and
thieves carried much valuable stuff awav
before the officers could place lines of
ropes around the piles of goods and
station themselves so as to watch them.
1t is impossible to estimate the value of
the property saved, but it is certain the
loss will be nearly half million dollars
Figures are given out amounting to n
total of SiS3, 200, with number of small
losses which cannot be ascertained.
The Lick House block, constituting tba
burnt portion of First street, will. as soon
as possible, be replaced by handsome
three-story structure by G. T. RyIand
the owner. James Phelan will bniId a
handsome structure on San Fernando
and Second streets in place of the old
frame buildings burned. G. ]. Martin
will not replace the California Theatar
but will probably erect business bIock
instead. l.. Krumb will build on Second