New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-23
SEVEN BLOCKS IN RUINS.
A DISASTROUS BLAZE IN SPRINGFIELD.
MASS.
THE loss ESTIMATED AT NEARLY 100000
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION OF RAGS
TIE PROBABLE CAUSE.

TIE PROBABLE CAUSE.
Springfeld Mass Nov 22.-The most destructive
fire this city has known for years broke out soon
after midnight in the block owned by j. X. Dex-
and Henry S. Dickinson, at NO SS Worthingtoh-
st. The flames when discovered. had gained con-
siderable headway. The fire seemed to have started
In the centre of the building some time Delore IL
appeared the outside of the block. John Dooian
building next to the Dickinson went next, and then
the Mayo block The Abbe block was then attacked
and soon the Hotel Gendower was completely sur
rounded by fire. and at am its walls el Inc guests
long before had packed their baggage and LETT the
building The attention of the department was theh
turned to saving the Fuller block
At O'Clock this morning the fire was finally un-
der control after raging over five hours Ine hnai
stand of the hremen on the north was In lhe
Union" block and the Wight block behind it. From
the top Of '"rhe Union" block streams were steadily
PLAYED. and the fire kept out except from one
room. When the walls of the Glendower ieii IL gave
the fremen a chance TO get into Worthingtonst ana
play upon the side of '"rhe Union block as weil as
from the roof. The flames died hard, but when the
end came they seemed to expire suddenly. and soon
only clouds of steam and smoke poured out from
windows which had emitted threatening seas OF
fire Although the flames lighted the city ana alarm
after alarm had sounded probably half the popua-
ton of Springfield had idea Of the extent OF the
blaze 1t seemed almost incredible to the sound
sleepers that between the close of the theatre and
breakfast time such great blocks should have melted
down.
On the south the final stand made at Fullers
block which was saved by sudden favorable
change in the wind, the same change making 1t
difficult to save THE Union block. On the
east the fire stopped with Webber's block. and
on the west at Man-st. Seven fine business blocks,
Including the Glendower Hotel. are in ruins The
burned district extends nearly 800 feet on Worth
ington-st and Is 100 feet deep, while the frontage
of the two Main-st. blocks was about 200 feet.
Everything in this district is mass OF smoking
ruins. upon which the fire department is still
pouring twenty streams of water. The loss can be
probability reach nearly N.O00.000. 1t Is the most
and promises TO ea1al that in total loss, though
the territory burned Is not 80 great.
Fivestory ee S" brick block. owned by j. W. eWebber.
grocer; two hve-story brick blocks, owned by D.
dimensions dn owned BY John .Dooian. rag dealer;
similar block to the east owned by A. n Mayo
iive-story brick block at Main and worthngton
SITS. and Abbes block. hve-story brownstone ton,
ton to these the fifth story. of the Wight block.
the opposite side of Worthinston-st. was com com
pletcly guttei. and the editorial-rooms Of The
Union" in the adjoining block, were damaged by
the iire breaking through the dividing walls Inc
managers. however, expect to issue the paper
Captain Blunt of the United States Armory.
unusual delay in getting the Armory engine
to the fire. that such an emergency had not arisen
before. and under the circumstances they made the
best time they could.
The following Is list OF the principal losses
and insurance far be obtained at present:
Glendower Hotel, loss building $4,000, covered
by insurance; Henry S Houston, manager, loss
furniture and nxtures $500; insurance Sl2,UO
on Abbe's block the loss is $1,000 covered by in
surance. OF the occupants. NJ II. Barnett cigar
manufacturer. who occupied part OF the first and,
nfth stories is one OF the heavy iosers over 49,
go cigars were destroyed besides valuable fixtures.
and the loss will reach $4,000. partially insured.
Ball & Hamblen dealers In groceries and fruits.
loss estimated $1,000: well Insured. James Nc
Keon 4 CO.. coaks and wraps. sJ0WO; partially
insured. Mayos block valued at $4,000, but
insured for only sl0,5o a. y: Mayo d Co.
lose sl75Oo on their stock; insured. John Doolans
fve-stOry brick block was valued At $2OVO ana
Insured for $1,000 His stock OF paper stock was
totally destroyed; loss s2,O0 insured for 5000.
The loss on the two blocks on Worth!ngton-st.
owned by J. *. Dexter x Co., will be $JOWU;
partly insured. The loss on stock Is estimated at
$50 coo: partly insured The Stearns Paper Company
loses $500 partly insured. A. +. Leonard q Co.
hardware dealers. lose $1,000: insured for $500.
The loss on the Wight building will be about sl5
OOO principally by water; fully insured. In the
Union block the losses almost entirely by water
and smoke.
The origin OF the fire IL mystery to the author
tiles The flames apparently started in the agricu-
tural store of y. A. Leonard This building was
the first discovered TO be on fire. and It's
centre was "A mass OF flames when the alarm was
lief that the fire had its origin In spontaneous
combustion OF rags in storehouse immediately
adjoining Leonards store. The incendiary theory
entertained by many persons familiar with the
property. will be investigated by the police ana a
startling disclosure Is limited at.