The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-04
1T is CONDEMNED.
Historic Brick Building
Under the Ban.
FIREMEN WILL NOT ENTER 1T.
One of the Sharon Estate Structures
Declared Unsafe in Case of a
ConfIagration.

The big brick structure at Fourth and
BRYANT streets, occupied by the West
Coast Furniture Factory, has been con-
demned by the Board of Fire Commission
ers. The owners and lessees have been
notified that in case of another conflagra-
ton there fremen will not be permitted to
enter the building.
1t isa ramshackle concern, this old fur
niture factory. and experts are of opIn-
ion that about the cheapest and easiest
way to make it a safe building in case of
fire is 10 tear it down and put up another
Duilding.
In the last eight or nine years fires have
not been of infreQuent occurrence in this
structure, and TWO of these CONGREGATIONS
have been rather serious affairs. About
FIVE years ago the FIRE that broke out there
was not ouenched TIL part of the west
wall near Bryant street had fallen out aud
narrowly escaped killing fireman or
! two.
Faulty construction is at the base OF
most of the present evils of the building.
! William G. Ralston built the place about
/ twenty years ago, and 1t was no sooner
! finished than Stratton Bros. the contract
| ors, were called upon to brace the walls to
| Keep them from falling.
KmbalPs carriage factory occupied the
| building for few years after the walls
were thoroughly braced. Then Ralst0n
/ and Sharon became the financial hackers
of tie West Coast Furniture Company.
which made all the furniture used in the
| Palace Hotel.
This original furniture company has
| long since been thing of the past, but the
old sign still hangs over the doorway, and
l.. and +. Emanuel, who now own the
business. still cling 10 the original name
of the company.
Evidently the foundatio of the struc-
ture are insecure. for in past years. when
the floors have been overweighted, the
walls have cracked in such a manner as to
make the building dangerous in case of
fire. From time 10 time, under pressure OF
the Fire Department, fire walls have been
added TO the building, dividing it off thus
into separate structures. These should
have strengthened the building and I'M
dOuote6ly did to sOme extent. or the de-
partments condemnation would not have
been delayed for SO many years. 1t is not
a high or wide structure. but IL covers a
good deal of ground and is rambling sort
OF place within.
District Engineer Fernandez has in
spected the place more than once with a
view of ascertaining whether the exits
were sufficient in number in case of fire.
He has had to report that the exits were
numerous enough but rather difficult to
locate should one get bewildered.
Two weeks ago Inspector Shaunessey
went over the place very carefully. with a
view OF reporting on its safetyin the event
Of a conflaeratiOn. He was forced to the
conclusion that but very small fire would
so weaken the supports OF the brick walls
that general collapse of the structure
would be likely 10 follow the slightest
proyocation toward that end, and he rec
commended that the building be con-
demned.
Six or seven years ago a tobacco factory
occupied the Perry-street wing of the
building. Now the man of weeds has gone
and in his place is the man with buzz
saws. The building belongs to the Sharon
estate now, and IL is likely that the agent
will endeavor 10 repair the structure in
such a manner as 10 make it pass muster
before the board, or else rebuild it entirely.