The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-03-30
YESTERDAYS BIG BLAZE.
Mr. CHAs. A. NEwNINa's s0UTHsIDE
RESIDENCE DESTROYED.
Magnificent Work Done by the Firemen and
Nsighbors in Saving Furniture and
Bric.a- Brac From the Devouring
Flames-Fully Insured

CerOay mornlng, Gne aIaru Delng
sounded at 11:50 o'clock, and Mr.. Chas.
A. Newning, our we'll known and
popular county commissioner from the
Fourth precinct, being the loser. The
property destroyed was his handsome
home in Fairview Park, one OF the
most beautiful residences in or about
Austin.
When the alarm was sounded at the
hour above named, and the smoke
from the burning building plainly in
dictated the location of the blaze, the
fire department started on their long
run over the Avenue bridge and up
over the steep hill at the
Deaf and Dumb institute. When it
is said that it was long and hard
pull the ords fail to express the ex-
ertion the noble horses were
called on to make, and when
they finally reached the park they
were completely exhausted. The first
alarm called out the Hook and Ladder
and Washington and Colorado Hose
companies. The latter company
combined their hose and, with line
nearly 1000 feet long, conveyed water
Erom the hydrant at the Deaf aud
Dumb institute to the burning build
ing. Before the water could be Sc
cured, however, q number of firemep
and neighbors swooped down on the
house and verify carried it by storm.
In an Incredibly short time it was
cleared of every thing movable. Fur
niture, bric-a. brac, pianos, carpets,
gas fittings, doors, windows, sashs.
blinds, marble mantles, crockery and
glassware were all carried out with
slight damage. These articles were
then collected and guarded by the
very efficient corps of fire police of the
department with the assistance
of two of Captain Lucy's men,. 1t is
believed that not single article was
stolen after it was moved from the
building and deposited in the midst
of the miscellaneous crowd that soon
thronged the park, and too much
praise cannot be bestowed for the way
in which the house was cleared and
the property guarded.
The fire started in the roof and
slowly eat it's way down towards the
basement, the single stream playing
on it being insufficient to stay it's
progress. After ii had burned some
time q second alarm was sent in bring
ing East Austin and Protection Hose
companies to the scene and then with
the two streams playing the blaze was
quickly gotten under control, but not
before the handsome home had been
completely Quilted.
THE ORIGIN.
The origin of the fire is wrapped in
mystery. Mr.. Newning who has been
sick for few days was
at home at the time
and his wife had just returned
from the city, bringing with her sew
eral friends who we're to spend the
day. Smoke was noticed in the upper
part of the building, and on Mr.. New
nipg's rushing into the attic he was
met by mass of flames, resulting in
his getting his face scorched and his
hair and moustache badly singed.
After the blaze was extinguished and
an examination of the ruins was made
the most plausible theory that could
be advanced as to it's origin was that
it had started in the roof from q de-
fective kitchen fue.
LOSS AND INSURANCE.
The first cost of the building was
SIG, 900, since which time some inn
provements have heen made. On it
Mr.. Newning carried the following in
surance as per statement furnished
the reporter yesterday afternoon by
Insurance Agent w. e. Booth:
Northern. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. $2,5OO
British America. .............. Z,5OO
Lancashire. .......... ......'... H,ouu
Milwaukee Mechanics ........ 2,100
Total ........... So, 100
The insurance on the furniture was
$4,000, divided equally between the
Western and Niagara.
The loss on the building is practi-
cally total, while the loss on the furni-
ture will be about 35 per cent.
NOTES AND CASUALTIES.
After the fire Mr.. Newning moved
his furniture to the Burt cottage in the
park, where he will remain for the
present.
Quite serious blockade occurred on
the Avenue bridge when the fire
trucks were en- route to the fire, and
some serious IL not fatal accidents
were narrowly averted.
Mr.. Chas. Smith, the we'll known
barber and a member of Protection,
had one of hfs hands painfully |
injured by having it struck with an
axe in the hands of a fellow fireman.
Quite number of firemen had their |
faces painfully scorched by the in
tense heat, and others were complete
Iy used up by inhailing the hot air |
and smoke.
Mr.. Henry Hearne, a member of
East Austin and fire policeman had |
one of his fingers crushed while NOV
ing furniture. He was carrying a |
heavy marble slab down stairs when
the carpet was pulled out from under
him causing him to fall and throwing
the full weight of the load on his
hand.
Railroad Changes.
Special to The Statesman
Micah What ia |