The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-07-01
A DISASTROUS FIRE.
Kinney'S Cannery With its Con-
tents Totally Destroyed.
4E MANzANITA sCoRcHED
Loss AbOul $4,000, 0ne-Half In
sured--Several Very Narrow
Escapes.

Astoria was visited by one Oh the
most costly fires in her history at an
early hour yesterday morning. The
mammoth packing establishment Of the
Astoria Packing Company was burned
to the ground, and three of its employees
narrowly escaped death in the flames.
The fire was discovered about o'clock
by Quartermaster Hanson, of the steam
er Manzanita, who was on watch at the
time. He saw dense volume Of smoke
coming over the stern of the vessel as
she lay at her dock beside the call
merry. He at first thought it was from
an incoming steamer but as there was
no vessel in sight he ran up on deck
and discovered that the smoke came
from the east end of the cannery. He
at once awakened First officer Wilson
and then rang the fire alarm bell Of
the steamer. This was the first inti-
nation the workmen about the cannery
lad Of the fire, the watchman being at
the other end of the building splitting
kindllngs preparatory to making fire
under the boiler. Captain Bell, who
occupies the rooms over the office rs
a family residence, was awakened by
the Manzanita's bell and had only time
to put on his trowsers before he was
driven to the window and compelled to
jump to the ground. Fortunately, the
captains family, consisting of two
daughters and a son, were visiting or
they would surely have been suffocaIed
by the dense smoke. All of Cap
tain Bells household goods, including
a new 5000 piano, and number of val
liable papers, were destroyed.
F.. M. Bewley, who was also sleeping
in the second story of the building, was
compelled to jump to the ground, leav-
ing behind his clothing, a gold watch,
and fine collection of documents and
curlosities, commenced by him in 1S47,
and which he regarded as the most val
liable part of all his possessions.
Gus. Smith, a nephew Of Mr. Kinney
was also occupying a sleeping room in
the building, and was nearly smotliered
by the smoke of the burning labels and
lacquer varnish. He says that he looked
through the partition window of his
room and saw fire in the packing room.
He attempted to go out to where the
fire was, but the smoke drove him back
and out of the building. Mr.. Smith
thinks the fire originated at the first
tank in the lacquer room.
Captain Gregory, of the Manzanita,
was sleeping on shore, and after the
crew had been aroused by the quarter
masters alarm and reached their re-
spective stations, First Officer Wilson
took advantage Of the ebb tide, and by
prompt action and hard work had the
steamer cut adrift and away from the
perilous position, but not before she was
well blistered by the heat. Captain
Gregory heard the tap of the bell at
his home and Immediately started for
his vessel. When he arrived the ship
was drifting down the river He was
rowed out to her, and took charge at
once. He complimented First officer
Wilson and the crew highly on their
prompt action and discipline. 1t was
undoubtedly a close call for the trim
little steamer, and her many friends
and admirers are delighted at her es-
caps with so little damage.
Most of the books and papers in the
counting room Of the cannery were
saved, and as Mr.. Kinney has two
other idle cannerles in Uppertown, there
will be no stoppage in his business. He
expects to go on as though there had
been no such thing as a fire like that
Of yesterday. The loss is estimated at
about $7O,OOO and is covered by insur-
ance to the amount Of $4,000.
NOTES.
Tom Foster, In fighting the fire, cut
his foot badly on piece Of tin.
The Columblne was willing, but the
wind would not allow her to get near
the fire.
Eight thousand cases is the estimated
amount Of salmon In the building at the
time Of the fire.
There was only $500 insurance held