The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-10-09
STUBBORN FIRE.
1t Gets Into Paint Cellar and Sulks
Long.


More Serious Loss-some Damage to
John Trefethen and #. o. Bailey & Co.
At $50 O'Clock yesterday afternoon,
still alarm was sent into the chemical
engine house forsan unusual fire which
had broken out in cellar of Sturdivant
block on Market street, between New
bury and Middle street. This large
block is almost entirely occupied by
the large furniture manufacturing bust
ness of TIP. Beals & Co. In the end
has grain store, and on the end to-
wards New bury street, the Sunday Times
(newspaper) occupies first floor Office.
But L. P. Beals and Company occupy
the entire cellar, which is divided off by
heavy brick partitions. That portion I'M
was used by them for paint and var
nish store room, and in it was large
stock of this infammable material.
Yesterday afternoon, Philip Il. Kell ey,
an employe. went into this paint cellar
with a lantern to get some spirits of tur-
u
began to draw the turpentine. Immedi-
ately there was an explosion and a sheet
of lame envelope him, smuggling his hair
and eyebrows and compelling him to
beat hasty retreat to save his life.
A still alarm was at once sent in, and
the chemical engine responded prompt
ly. If any mistake was made in regard
to the fire it was because the chemical
men were too ambitious to put the fire
out without assistance. When Mr.. Real
wanted to ring in a general alarm they
dissuaded him, thinking they scould
handle the fire :alone. They approached
through the entrance to Mr.. Be als's
office, which was not the most direct
way. Already thick black smoke was
pervading the building, driving out the
men. and curling up through an open
skylight.
Finally an alarm was rung in and
with the arrival of Five's hose carriage
a cellar window under. John Trefethen's
place was broken in. The. result of
this was so startling as to convince the
firemen that they had a dangerous fire
to deal with. A great volume of pitch
black smoke poured through the broken
window, lrolled into the street, obscur-
ing everything and choking the firemen
who manfully stood by the window and
poured in water from two lines of hose.
Meanwhile it had become evident thai
the fire was menacing. The block was
filed with furniture, which is very in
6animable, and the wind was high. If
the flames should once get beyond the
cellar costly confiagration .ssswould fol-
low. Under these crcums stances a sec
ond alarm was pulled in. and the whole
department was soon on the spot. The
fire was attacked.from Market street and
from the court.Iin the rear of the block
The pitchy smoke made it very bad for
the firemen, who had tos.carry line of
hose into the cellar adjoining, where the
fire was in progress. But most of the
water was put on from the street and
the court. Tie cellar was flooded, and
after about half an hour the flames
were subdued.
In John Trefethen's grain store the
smoke poured up through the cracks
of the floor. There was in there large
amount of corn in bins, and grain, etc.,
in bags. This was more or less smok ed,
but to what extent could not be deter
mined last night. Mr.. Trefethen has
about $500 insurance in agencies of
Prent ISIS Loring. ~
Next the Sturdivant block is the block
occupied by F.O. Bailey and Co. IS car
riage mart. The easements are adjoin-
ing, and soon the water began.to pour
into the harness and blanket salesroom
of the carriage mart Holes were bored
in the floor. and everything was done to
let the water off. But considerable dam
age was done to the blankets, HARNESS.,
and other fittings. Some smoke also
pen strated this basement. The damage
is difficult to estimate. 1t will probably
be several hundred dollars. F.O. Bailey
and Co. have an insurance of $50, 600.
The Sunday Times suffered no damage
and little inconvenience
The loss to TIP. Beals aud Co. will not
probably be very much in excess.of two
or three thousand dollars. Mr.. Beals was
much Frustrated by the ex citemeLt at
tending the fire, and went home without
making any attempt to reckon up the
loss, or compute his insurance, which will
amply provide for the loss
Real Estate Transfers