The morning call., 1893-06-08
DEVASTATING FLAMES

While A. B. Williams, a milkmap, was
delivering milk to mis- customers on Page
street, between Lyon and Lott, about
O'Clock yesterday morning. he was con-
sderably startled by hearing loud re-
port, followed by heavy fall. coming from
the rear Of the houses near the north we ST
corner of Lyon and Page streets. In a
minute or two afterward he observed
flames issuing from the point where the
report seemed to have come from, and, on
driving down Lyon street, he saw that a
stable in the rear of house in course OF
construction on the corner was on fire.
Officer Harper, who was on duty in thai
vicinity, also observed the flames and ran
TO the stable, shouting fire. He asked
Williams to run to the corner of Oak and
Devisadero streets and ring the alarm, but
Williams was afraid to leave his horse and
wagon, and Harper ran to the alarm-box,
while Williams aroused the residents from
their slumbers by yelling fire and ringing
their bells.
While Harper and Williams were thus
engaged, w. Marks of 1872 Page street
ard two sons of Mrs. Lowenstine of 13Oi
Page street, rushed TO the scene of the fire
and began TO play upon the burning build
ing with garden-hose. but they were soon
forced to desist as the flames spread to
the slipper factory adjoining the stable,
and crept with alarming rapidity along the
fences, and in few minutes an unfinished
house on the corner. and one adjoining 2
which was unoccupieC, were burning
fiercely.
Meantime the alarm had been rung from
box $50, on the corner of Oak and Dpvisa-
dero streets, the time being 8 :25 A. VI. In
about twenty minutes engine Il from
McAllister street, between Buchanan and
Webster, arrived. closely followed by hose
| companies 2 and 8.
By this time the fire had spread to the
building 1904 and 1906 Page street, occupied
! by Mrs. L0wenstine and two other
families. but the firemen lost n OF a moment
in getting 10 work. The hydraDt at the
corner OF Baker and Page streets, BLOCK
away, was quickly called into requisition
but owing to the fact that the water maiG
is of the smallest variety. the stream
poured upon the burning buildings had
not the slightest effect upon the TercG
flames, which were being famed into
greater fury by strong westerly breeze.
Engine 10 arrived several minutes after
engine IA, but it was found Impossible .tt
pull it up the hill from OaE street to Page
The team of No. IA was sent to the assist
ance of the other team. and by the com.
bined efforts of both, the heavy engine was
dragged up Lott street 70 Page, and the
hydrant at the corner OF these streets wa,
speedily utilized. But much valuab bic time
had been lost in getting No. 10 into posi-
ton, and the flames, aided by the stroAs
breeze, had not been idle.
Redhot and burning embers were flying
in every direction, and soon the roof of the
large three-story residence on the north.
east corner OF Page No. 1856 and Lyon
owned and occupied By the Roundtret
family. and No. 1894, adjoining, owned and
occuuied by j. w. Smedley. were blazing
furlously.
AT this critical moment Chief Sullivan
arrived upon the scene and ordered the
sounding of second alarm. which was
ruhg from box 1856. at 1852. About quar-
Ter oil an hour previous to this some one.
supposed to be M. +. Rountree, sounded
an alarm from box 392.
During all this time the occupants OF
the houses on the blocks east and west OF
Lyon street had been removing their
furniture, and they were assisted by will
Ing hands. The greatest excitement pre-
vailed; women and children were shriek.
Ing with terror as they hurried from their
homes. and as families became SEN
arated in the darkness their fears
were intensified by the thought that some
OF their dear ones might have been left
In the burning buildings. Men were man
fully struggling to save their household
effects, the most valuable receiving the