The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-03
HEAVY LOSS BY FIRE
Baltimore Firms Inflicted to the
Extent of 500, 600.
Girl with Her Hair Aflame Rescued by
a Brave Fireman-The Fire Spread
by Flying Brands.

BALTIMORE, Dec. One Of the most
disastrous CONGREGATIONS in the history of
the city swept through the commercial
center te-night, entailing a loss Of 100000
and throwing cut Of employment over five
hundred people. 1t was only the fact that
the fire broke out after working hours
that prevented a narrowing loss Of life.
Darkness had hardly fallen over the city
before a general fire alarm was sounded
from Paca and Lombard streets. When the
department arrived Upon the scene the
mammoth Hcfster building, Nos. "a and So
South Paca street, was a seething mass Of
flames and other structures of like i'm
portance in the vicinity were set ahre by
the showers of sparks which a strong west
wind was sending in every direction. Be-
fsre the flames were gotten under con-
troll. the following buildings had been
Quilted: No. "a South Paca street,
occupied by the Deutsche Litho-
graphing and Printing Company. Johns
overalls and dry-soods factory and
Charles Heiser's shoe factory. No. Sc South
Paca was occupied by d. Langfeld & Co.,
cloak manufacturers. Next door was the
cigar mandatory Of August Mcncken &
Bro. All these establishments were de-
stroyed. The fire then spread to the dis
secting hall of the Maryland University.
Sixteen cadaver were in pickle on the top
floor Of this building, among them being
the remains of Uncle Perry Anderson, Of
burking fame. Before the fire was gotten
under control, at s o'clock in the evening,
the flames had communicated to the ware
house and storage apartments of NJ. s..
Levy & Sons, straw hat manufacturers, at
Paca and Lombard streets.
UTHfI> Al. G.~ - a. Lxt-l@ ~ 49,
gregation of the Jewish synagogue were
deep in worship In their temple at German
and Paca streets. The roof of the edifice
caught and fire began to rain upon those
engaged in prayer. 1t required the united
efforts of the firemen ana police to pre-
vail upon the people to leave the building.
which seemed in imminent danger of be-
ing consumed. The fremen and spectators
had a hard run for their lives when the
walls of the Heiser building fell. With
a terrific noise the walls crashed into the
streets and upon the adjacent buildings,
setting fire to Cohen's stables, which are
located on German street and run through
TO Cider alley. Three hundred horses and
mules which had been housed there were
removed in haste to safer quarters.
While the fire was at It's height a Shrek
from the second story of the Langfcld
building drew all eyes in that direction.
Standing upon a window sill, with her hair
On fire, was Annie Taylor, an employe.
Hundreds OF voices were lifted, Emporium
ing her not to jump. Pipeman B. F. Riley,
of No. 1 engine, dashed into the burning
building to her rescue. He soon reap
peared with the fainting form of the woman
in his arms.
The Heiser building stood upon what at
one time was a burying ground, adjoining
the old church, which was used by NJ. S.
Levy & Sons as a storage warehouse. Only
the strenuous efforts Of the fire department
saved the establishments of Brigham, Hop
kins & Co, straw hat manufacturers, and
Strauss Bros, wholesale clothiers, from
being destroyed. The firms first named lose
their entire stock, all of which is fully in
sured. The buildings are owned by the
Mcdaniel estate, and are also covered by
insurance.