The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-12-27
FIRE AMID
THE STORM.
A Large West Street Dwelling in
a Blaze.
GOOD WORK BY FIREMEN.
Misleading Alarm, Bursting Hose and
other Obstacles Hampered Them, But
Finally Subdued the Flames.

Amid the storm that ragged last night,
at about half past nine o'clock, there
arose a cry of "hre ~ 1t was followed by
the sounding OF an alarm over the cleo
trio system and the fire companies pu he'd
their way down Main street through the
driving gale and snow with all the speed
the driving snow and gales would permit.
1t was a terrible night, and as the bell
could not be heard in some parts of the
town but small number of men respond
ed at first. All the companies pulled down
to the corner of Main aud Poplar streets
and the hose lines we're unreeled, the fire.
men having been told that the fire was on
Pear alley, at the rear of j. B Monaghan's
place. 1t was not until all preparations
had been made that it was found the fire
was at the southern end OF West street -
four squares distant from the place where
the alarm box is located. In order to get
to the scene the fremen were obliged to
carry the hose on their backs up the steep
hill on Poplar street to Jariin, and the ap-
paratus was sent back on Main and arouLd
by Cherry street. The Columbia Hose
Company's engine took position at the
corner of Jardin and Poplar, the Rescue
truck rested at West and Poplar streets
and the hose carriages took positions at
West and Laurel streets.
During the delay caused by the mis-
leading alarm the fire was raging in
three-story and basement double frame
dwelling, at the extreme end and on the
west side of West street. The flames
were blazing out the north and south
sides of the third story when the firemen
reached the place. A strong wind was
blowing at the time, but took south.
westerly direction and thus warded off
danger from the frame buildings north
and east. When the firemen were ready
to attack the building they found them
selves handicapped by a short and irregu-
lar supply Of water. This was due to the
bursting of three sections of cotton hose
and repeated parting of couplings When
everything was in working order the
flames appeared to have full sway, but
the energy and determination with which
the firemen got to work soon had telling
effect, and within half an hour after they
started they had the fire confined. The
tiremen worked until midnight and at
that time the fire was declared extin-
guished. None of the nei ghboring build
ings were damaged. The block in which
the fire started was badly Quilted and in
all probability will have to be entirely re-
built, 1t was originally owned by
Isaacher Robbins, but is now owned by
BARLEY Winn, South Main street Polish
saloonkeeper. 1t is valued at 81 300
The block was occupied by six Polish
and Hungarian families. The fire is sup
posed to have been started by the upset
ing of lamp during a fight tamong board
ers in bedroom on the third floor of the
building.
This fire was a benefit in many respects.
1t showed the value of the fire department.
The men worked as hard and steady in the
storm as could be expected from paid
department, and that they kept the flames
so well confined in spite of all the OBJ.
stacles shows that they also have a good
stock of excellent Judgment. Another
beneficial effect is the lesson it teaches
the officials having charge of the bor-
oughs affairs. The hose that bursted as
been in use for about fifteen years and has
been reported to Council in connection
with the couplings by Fire Marshal James
S. Williams frequently since last July.
That official has also called attention to
the necessity for additional fire alarm
boxes There is no box in the neighbor,
hood of where the fire was last night, the
nearest to the scene being the box from
which the alarm was sounded.
When the alarm was sounded the Res
cue Hook & Ladder Company's fair was
in progress. The members of the com
pany did not allow the festivities to inter
fere with the call of duty, but responded
promptly.
Oysters!