The morning call., 1893-03-15
THREE DWELLINGS
Totally Destroyed by an
Early Morning Fire.
A Blaze on Ashbury Heights-Resi-
dences That Could Not Be Saved.
Loss Nearly $4,000.

This morning at twenty minutes after
II o'clock Officer Cunningham discovered
bright light shooting from a dwelling on
Frederick street, and at once turned in
an alarm from station 391, on the
corner Of Ashbury and Frederick streets.
The light increased and In few mo-
ments flames shot high in the air and
spread, involving a dwelling on each eide.
This gave rise to belief that the neigh
borhood was threatened, and second
alarm was sent in from the same station
few minutes later.
Brighter and brighter grew the light, and
before any OF the apparatus of the depart
ment reached the scene of the fire, the re-
Election of the flames lighted up the south
western sky and it was visible from all parts
of the city.
The fire was destroying three almostAew
two-story frame buildings numbered 800.
81 and Sl9 Frederick street They were SIT
uated side by side and distant some 200 feet
on all sides from other buildings.
To this alone Is due the fact that the fire
was not more disastrous than it was
No. 300 was owned by John a. Hammer
schmidt of Hammerschmdt & Field. The
house, which was magnificently finished in
teTiOrly and elegantly furnished bY the
owner, who expected TO move into it In a
few days, was completely destroyed. 1t was
valued at $1,000. while the interior work and
There was an insurance OF $1,000 on tine
premises.
No. 81 was owned and occupied by Thorn
ton J. Corwin. vice-presdent of the Pacific
Roll paper Company. 1t was in this build
ing that the fire pad its origin, but in what
manner The fire declared Itself could not be
ascertained.
1t broke out so suddenly that the inmates
had barely time 10 escape. Mr.. Corwn
jumped through window on TO the house
oA1 nd md l,,ifl, t,fa g..
members of his family just had time to leave
the house, but did not have time to save
anything
This. like Hammerschmidfs house, was
totally destroyed. The building was valued
at $1,000, and was insured for $1,000.
The third building. No. 313. also burned
TO the ground, was owned and occupied by
V. K. Helmer, with Murphy, Grant & Co.
1t was valued at 5000, and insured for
$500.
The fremen had considerable trouble In
reaching the locality of the fire, and when
they arrived there could give but little as
slstance, and they were forced to let the
buildings burn to the ground.
In responding to the alarm engine got
stuck in tue mud, and 1t required the united
strength OF six horses to haul 1t out and
along.
Officer Cunningham said that he was on a
Haight-street car when he heard a number
of police whistles blowing and looking up
saw llSlt anu he LneD sent IN the alarm.
James Bulger, son of Captain Martin
Bulger. seeing the light and not hearing the
bells, supposed that an alarm had not been
sent In, SO lie also rung in one from
station 391,
The first piece of apparatus that
reached the fire was hOsecart with
a lot OF hose recently given to
the residents of Ashbury Heights. 1t
was attached to the nearest fireplug, a
block distant, but the hose on the reel was
not sufficient to reach the fire.
Later Oh the lines of hose were stretched
but thew burst frequently, and the streams
were of no avail.
Mrs. COrwin was awakened, and noticed
smoke in the building. She called her hus-
band, who rushed to the rear and discovered
The rear portion OF the house in flames.
Mrs COrwin threw a blanket over her
head, and catching up her child followed
her husband through a side window
on to the adjoining house of Mr.. Helmer.
That was the only avenue of escape. They
were conducted TO the house oil a friend in
the neighborhood and they were cared for.
Later in the morning Mr.. Corwin, while
contemplating the ruins of his home, said
that his loss would reach nearly $4,000
and that his insurance is about S9O00
NUne of the occupants of the buildings
saved any property whatever.
There was a strong southwest wind
blowing and fakes of fire larger than
mans hand fell on the
houses in the vicinity and would have set
fire 10 them had it not been that the
roofs had been soaked by the rain that fell
during the day and night