Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-02-23


street and Wiuooski avenue early the morn
Ing OF the 10Th aud several women tenants
narrowly escaped with their lives one being
taken down ladder from third-story
window. The fire was discovered about
6.lj o'clock aud an alarm from box 20 was
sounded soon after
j. W. O'Suivan, who lives just across
the street, Il. n. Porter, who owns the
block, and Chief Engineer Murray were
among the trst to arrive and arouse the
people in the building, which was filed
with smoke. On the second floor Chief
Murray pushed in the door at the right OF
the hallway and there found Mrs. IL. X.
Wellman, an aged lady, aud daughter,
Helen M. Wellmau, trying to dress them
selves Mrs. Wellman was Supplied, but
able to walk.
She did not want to leave tho room but
Chief Murray took her in his arms into
MIR. O'Sul!ivan's residence, the daughter
following. Mr.. O'Sulivnr swoks Lsror and
Cara johnson. who occupied rooms across
the hall way from Mrs. " elman's, and al
though partially suffocated, they made
their way out of the building in their night
clothes with his assistance. lu the mean =
time other firem IN had assisted the otho
tenants Mrs Church and son and the Cal
laghcr sisters, all in their night robes, to
in the south half OF the block and forced
those living there to seek the shelter of
neiShbors. 1t was so dense in the hallway
as to make it precarous to descend by the
stairway and a ladder WAS hoisted to tho
window on the south end, Mrs. CORNER be-
ing helped from the building this way.
while Two medical students, and Misses
Florence Allen and Katie Page were
sisted down the stairway by fremen. They
were only partially dressed.
Meanwhile the Ethans, Stars, Boxers
Barnes and Hooks were at the scene. and
seven streams OF water were soon being
thrown on the fire, which had made consld-
srabie progress, the flames rising from the
roof. In short time it was under control,
however, though it was extinguished with
great difficulty. The partitions were con-
structed of planed boards covered with wall
paper, and the blaze made its way from one
room to another very quickly. By persist
ent effort, however, and liberal use OF
axes and water, the last spark near the
chimney in the roof was put out at 8
O'Clock.
As is often the case, about twice as much
damage was done 10y water as by fire. AT
O'Clock, when four OF the streams were
suspended, water stood in some of the rooms
TO the depth of SIX inches on the second,
>,
stairway was transformed into u small
brook
Some say the fire originated from a coal
stove in the back room of j. NJ. Storrs'
meat market while others contend that it
caught from defective flue. 1t is probable
that the former view of it is correct. The
work of destruction was the most complete
around the chimney, the fire spreading as
Il progressed upward.
On tue urst floor the fire was confined to
the back room OF Storrs meat market. The
east half OF the second and the whole OF tho
third stories Of the north half OF ths block,
were badly damaged. A portion of the
roof fell in. The upper story and
roof of the building adjoining, owned
by Seth Carey, were slightly damaged
The stores in the block were more
or less flooded. NJ. l.. Sanborn's grocery
and M. j. Hewitt's meat market, which
join Storrs' market on either side, all Of
which were directly under the fire, receiv-
ing the greater part OF the water. Water
also made its way to T.. \. Porter's rooms
on the second floor and NJ. II. Cormier's on
the tnlrd floor, in the south cad of the block,
doing more or less damage.
TIE INSURANCE.
The agency of T. S. Peck had the follow
ing insurance on the block; On building,
$4,000; on MIR. Portsr's household furniture,
5000; on Mr.. Michael +. Cormiers house
hold furniture, 500; on stock and fixtures
OF George Loveland 81 Co.. 800.
The aGeL.y OF Hickok q Bailey had in
surances as follows: On building, $1,000:
NJ. L. sGnborp, $1,000; Seth Carey, $500;
George Lovoland Il Co., $3.50; J. NJ. Storrs,
$500.
ESTIMATED LOSSES.
The loss on the building is estimated at
about $1,000. The damage TO Mr.. Porter's
furniture will not exceed $500, that Of Mr..
Cornier's $40 and that OF Loveland q Co.
$500. The damage on the three latter is by
smoke and water, as well as removal.
The fire had undoubtedly been smoldering
for some time.
THE HOMELESS LADIES INTERVIEWED,
FREE PRESS representative interview
ed the lady occupants of the block and their
statements are appended Mrs. Wellman
and daughter and the Misses johnson wore
seen at AIR. L. +. Wilbur's, where, by the
courtesy of Mrs. Wilbur they VIII remain
until suitable quarters can be secured. Mrs
Wel!men said that she partly sufoca-
ted; she and her daughter had been up 10
minutes; her daug bter was afraid she would
take cold and was trying to get some clothes
ON her before going out doors They got
some OF their clothing after the fra ana u
portion of it can probably he made OF some
use. Their piano was not burned aud as t
was covered with rubber clotn they hoped
it was not ruined. There was no insurance
On any OF their goods
MIRA Church, who occupied rooms on the
third floor, was the first to discover the fire.
She arose, awoke many of the others in the
building, forgetting to call her own son,
VINO 10 about 10 years of age, but happily
he heard her rapping on tho doors below
ana got up Sine lost every thing except her
gold watch which vas found and returned
TO her by fireman. No insurance
The Misses johnson occupied rooms on the
second hor over Mr.. Storrs' meat market
where the fire probably originated. They
were nearly sulfocated whom they awoae:
'hey we're driven out in their night clothes.
going to Mr. Porter's, whore they got a
fsw clothes, then to Dir. O,Sulu-
vans and attsFward to Mrs. Wiiburs's.
lnelr clothes wero not burned, but wore
M ItT tor Il. .1