The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-10

Damaged.
About o'clock this morning fire
originated in some unknown manner
in the basement OF the Arcade where
it fronts on Oskford court, directly un-
der that portion of the building used
as box Office for the Fro thingham
theater.
The fire was the work of an ineendi
AIRY. this being the third time the place
has been set on fire within a month.
Owing to a mistake in laying hose
the fire was given great impetus and
what would have been at most
slight fire. developed into destruc-
tive conhagration.
The fire communicated with the
rockingham theatre by means Of the
underground slope entrance and filled
that beautiful structure with smoke.
The Westminster was filled with
smoke and there was great commotiou
among the guests who filled the hall
ways dressed in the night clothes
At 9.25 the fire was still burning and
it looks as if the Arcade would he
gutted. The guests at the Westmin-
ster left in lar sc numbers.
AS the flames broke through the roof
of the Arcade, the fire seemed to be
impelled bv invisible force, and
burned fercely. notwithstanding the
efforts of the firemen, The district
alarm was sounded and companies
from all parts of the city were on the
ground.
The efforts of the firemen we're con-
fined to save the buildings surround
ing.
Soon after the alarm was given the
guests at the Westminster removed
their goods from the house and sought
lodgings at other hotels
The goods of merchants doing bust
ness in the Arcade were entirely de-
slroyed. The list of tenants includes
W. J. Weichel, ieweIer; C. W. Shank,
shoes; Van Fleet & Hand, bicycles; F.
L, Lane, hats; Frank Leach, candy
John Breigil, paints; and others.
A a. 1.-The interior of the Arcade
is entirely gutted and the flames
have obtained foothold on the
Odd Fellows building on the south
and the Westminster on the north.
The indications are that both
will be badly damaged. The goods
of H. Bevon and Miss O'Hara in
the Old Fellows building are being re-
moved, and guests and help are carry
ing everything movable from the
Westminster
Ais a. m,-Arcade is a mass of
crum bling ruins but the continuous,
sustained efforts of the fire companies
have prevented the fire from communi-
eating itself to the theater located on
the opposite side of Oakford court.
The south side OF the Arcade has
just fallen in and it now looks as if the
Odd Fellows hall and Westminster
would be saved from irreparable in
jury. The stock of all whose business
places were in the Arcade is
total loss. All danger to
the theatnr seems avertod as the
fire has burned itself out in the rear
and is now destroying the Moorish
towers and ornamental architecture OF
the Wyoming avenue facade. A brisk
breeze is whirling large sparks in all
directions and threatening neighboring
buildings
AT A 90 the flames crspt up about the
Arcade towers and a few seconds later
they fell with crash, severing the
electric light and telegraph wires
nearby Several people standing near
were slightly burned by coming in CON
tact with the wires
As the wires came down the street
was additionally illuminated by lurid
flashes of electricity, which added to
the danger Of the situation as we'll as to
the spectacular effects.
1t became evident that ADJOINING
buildings were doomed at this stuge ant
the general alarm was gouuded. There
was little air stirring, yet the flame,
were famed by an Invisible draught
and sparks were showsred on the house
tops for blocks around.
Cars standing on the Traction com
panys tracks in the middle of Wyo
ming avenue had to be moved to pre-
vent them from being burned.
The Wyoming avenue entrance t,
the Arcade is mass OF saechinl
flames and the fire has obtain
ed good foot hold in the Old
Fellows building and Westminster
to which thu hrsmen had turned thei,
attention in good earnest. A genera
alarm has been sent out and the force
= OF the working hremen. whose posi-
ton is extremely hazardous, has beel
greatly augmented An awning il
front Of Hull & Co s place at 2O5 ant
2O7 Wyoming avenue ignited, but tn
fire WAS prevented from spreading fur
ther.
ABS a.m.--Arcade is completely de
stroyed and two adjoining building