The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-08-29
FIVE FAMILIES HOME[ESS.
Disastrous Fire in Roanoke Yes
terday Morning.
Beriin's Auction House and Several Adis-
cent Buildings Burned-The Loss Es-
timated at About Seventeen Thousand
Doilars-Uause of. the Fire Unknown.

Doliars-Cause of the Fire Unknown
One of the most disastrous fires that
ever occurred in the history of the city
visited Roanoke early yesterday morn
ing and ragged with fury for more than
two hours, entirely destroying the
large building known as Berlin's auction
house, which extends from Railroad TO
Salem avenues; the barroom of J. II.
Cannon OF Railroad avenue, the build
ing belonging to John McCarty;
j. d. Roses building on Railroad
avenue; the building occupied by Open
helms Exchange on Salem avenue,
owned by John mccarthy, and a small
brick building used as barber shop on
Salem avenue, we're partially damae ed.
The lire, which was discovered lust at
daylight when it was already mass of
flames, was strongest in the middle of
the building and is supposed to have
| caught from an exploded lamp, which
was left burning in the auction house.
The alarm was turned in from box 40
shortly before O'Clock and was re.
sponded to by all the fire companies,
who brought out the engine, the aerial
hook and ladder and all the hose reels,
and In short time nine streams of
water were playing on the burning
buildings. In the absence of J. G..
Knepp, chief Of the fire department, the
hremen were managed by Assistant
Chief McFall, who worked the men and
hose to the best possible advantage.
Much credit should be given the firemen
for their bravery and persistence. TAX
ing into consideration the fact that the
wind was blowing in almost gale from
the east and the ire was raging in fury
when the department arrived on the
scene, 1T is fortunate that the entire
block was not destroyed.
AT times the smoke was so dense that
1t became almost impossible Tor the ii re-
men to romain at their posts. Part OF
the Berlin auction house was a frame
structure, cased with brick, making a
veritable FIRE trap, and rendering it
difficult for the firemen to got in their
work. After part OF the walls fell the
water was brought directly on the fire,
which was soon after under control.
The second and third stories of the
auction house were occupied by five
families, most OF them Italian labor
| ers, who barely escaped with their lives
and who lost greater part OF their
household effects, which was everything
they possessed. Some of them escaped
from the fire with only part of their
wearing apparel on and are now entirely
destitute.
The end of the auction house facing
on Salem avenue was the property OF
William Lind and was entirely con-
sumed. Its value was about SO, 900 and
was insured for $1,000 The other part
of this building, facing on Railroad
avenue and running back 100 feet, be.
longed to Harry Backrach, whose loss
at
ance. Mr.. Berlin's loss, consisting of
stock of auction goods destroyed. is
placed at $4,000, with insurance at
$4,000, and on building adjoining 81 900.
The Roanoke Distilling Company
occupied the ground floor of Mr.. Bach
rach's building on Railroad avenue as q
saloon, which was wrecked and con-
siderable amount of stock DESTROYED.
The loss is placed by Manager Jamison
to be $500, with no insurance. The bar
fixtures, owned by G. L. Darnell, were
valued at 5000 and were not insured.
The small building used as barber
shop by G. E. Minins was demolished.
The loss was about 5000.
The building OF j. d. Rose on Rail-
road avenue, adjoining Mr.. Bachrach's
property, caught fire in tho rear and was
consumed before the fire could be ex
tinguished. MIR. Roses loss to building
and furniture damaged by Ere and
water will be about $1,000; covered by
insurance.
John McCarty's loss to the two
buildings occupied by oppenheim's
saloon and by j. II. Cannon will be
about $4,000 fully covered by insurance.
James Corners loss to saloon stock
will be about 5000.
The stock OF S. Is. Smiths saloon was
slightly damaged by water. The build
ing occupied by Smith is owned by d.
b. Lowell and is badly damaged.
j. Guidotte, Mrs. VIM. Wall, j. L.
Wright and e. Lodge Regnier, Asa
Reed and John Fitz, ST., and Jr., father
and son, lost all their furniture, bedding
and clothing. The money value OF this
property is not great, but It's loss makes
their condition sad one.
A LARGE stock Of organs OF sill leading
makes, which have been traded in for
| pianos by the Hobbie Music Company,
can be bought almost at your own price
and terms. Prices range from S25 to
| SIS, worth $40 to SlOO. Several Estey's
and Mason & Hamlin's in the lot. This
lot OF organs is worth looking over.
Call at once and get choice.
KIDNAPPER FOILED.
Ho Was Trying to Garry of His Two Chill
lrnI NI,at, n.