The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-09-11

TO cully FIFTY Thousand Dollars.
Origin in Doubt.
by little short of miracle the entire
block bounded by Henry and Commerce
stree!s and Kirk and Fourth avenues.
and the buildings opposite on Fourth
avenue, were saved from total dessruc-
ton by fire Sunday. That moro disas-
trous confagration than the burning of
the Bridgewater Carriage Company's
block was averted was due to the excel
lent work of the fro department., the
absence of wind and the collapse rather
than the falling of the walls.
Shortly after ii o'clock smoke was
seen issuing from the windows on the
third floor OF the southeast corner Of
the three story brick building situated
on the corner of Robertson avenue and
Henry streets.
Denee Smoke and Flames.
A department call alarm was sounded
but the echo OF the first bell tap had
not ceased whe n the flames burst forth
and from the interior Of the building
there arose a great volume OF dense
smoke which rose grandlY upward.
Soon the entire building was burning
pile and the smoke clearing away re-
vealed mass OF whirling, boiling,
soothing flames that shot straight up
ward towering hight OF hundred
feet or more. The accompanying smoke
was OF the blacklist and spread over the
entire northern and eastern sections of
the city. Had the fire occurred at
night instead Of at noon there would
have bee produced most magnificent
spectacle.
The Juniors arrived first and laid a
line OF hose reaching to the southeast
corner OF the burning structure. Soon
the Friendships and Alerts arrived and
the blaze was being fought from ell
sides. 1t was happy chance that en-
abled tho 6remen to lay line of hose
into the alley north of the building to
the rear OF the dwellings facing Kirk.
Here vantage ground was obtained and
two streams were poured upon the
flames, being diverted from time to time
in wetting down the rear of the build
ings which commenced 10 burn on sew
eral occasions. One stream was kept
almost constantly playing on the two
story frame dwelling fronting Fourth
avenue immediately adjoining the brick.
which seemed the most vulnerable
point
The entire structure was soon q raging
furnace and 1t seemed impossible to
save adjoining buildings and without
apparent hope of preventing the burn
ing OF Williams large frame livery
stable across the street. The stable
people. however, secured hose of their
own and kept tho front and roof of the
building constantly deluged Garden
hose WAS utilized in wetting the threat
ened dwellings and this had much to do
with the fact that to day they are not
In ruins
The Walls Collapse.
The first section of wall to give way
was at the extreme southeast corner.
This was followed from time to time
by the collapsing of sections about l2
feet wide along both walls from the
corner until nothing of the original
building remained standing except the
west wall which threatened every mo-
ment to topple over. Later in the
afternoon it WAS pulled down.
Intense Heat
The heat was so intense that the
crowds that are usually so troublesome
at fires were kept back at respectful
distance. There were upward of 5000
people assembled on the streets east
oHo pOoUh anu Ol tAo OpGu COmnO
from which they could obtain view of
the fiery spectacle. During the early
progress Of the fire the continual report
OF exploding cartridges stored in the
armory had much to do with the shyness
OF the crowd, then, as the flames spread
and grew in volume, it was uncomforta.
BILE to 90 closer.
The firemen had the greatest difficulty
in getting near the blaze, and several
groups Of the brave fellows could be
seen behind improvised bulwarks with
the nozzles of their hose thrust through
apertures. One gang Of hosemen stood
behind door held in such position as
to shield them. Another was enveloped
in blankets kept soaking wet. Not.
withdrawing these precaut ions, there
were several who were overcome by the
heat and wore forced to retreat for
treatment.
Grabbed q Hot Stove.
The inhabitants of the houses ad Join
ing, or in close proximity to the scene
Of the fire, moved out in great haste
and the pavements were strewn with
their household effects. Citizens aided
in removing goods and one lady, who
had been interrupted in her work of
cooking Sunday dinner, shouted ex-
Citeuiy requeSG 10 PACK OUT the
range" dozen willing hands jumped
to perform the service, but they jumped
back even moro quickly, uttering cries
OF pain and several lines of dashes.
The stove was hot.
Much of the furniture thus removed
WAS broken and rendered almost useless.
Several thefts were reported and one
enterprising rustler was stopped while
in the act of carry away bucket full of
sugar from the residence of Mr.. P. II.
Owens.