The morning call., 1894-07-15
CAUSED A GENERAL ALARM.
The Pacific American Decorative
Works Go Up in Smoke.
1T WILL PROVE A TOTAL LOSS.
Imminent Danger From the Fall of a
High Wall - The Brewery
Next Door Saved.

A fire which was chiefly remarkable for
the terceness with which the flames
burned and the rapidity with which ii was
practically under control occurred at an
early hour this morning on Howard street,
between Eighth and Ninth.
At rs A NJ. an alarm was rung from
from box 10 and the bright glare in the sky
showed at once that the fire was OF unu-
sual proportions
1t broke out in the establishment of the
Pacific American Decorative Company,
1911 to 1915 Howard street, of which f. s.
Chadbourne is president and John Mallon
secretary.
The fire had been burning only minute
or two when the chemicals used in the
establishment exploded with a terrific
noise that carried CONSERVATION to the
hearts of the residents in the neighborhood
and made Chief Sullivan at once turn in a
second alarm.
The various engines and hose companies
had responded with alacriy, and soon
streams of water were pouring upon the
blazing buildings.
Owing to the inhammabIe nature of the
stock the flames burned with great fierce
ness and the heat was terrific.
While the ftemen were battling bravely
to stem the flames there was warning
crack, and in a second the front walls fell
with a loud crash.
Several firemen had barely time to spring
back and save themselves from being
buried among the debris. Forum ately no
one was injured.
1t was at once apparent that the only
way was to allow the glass works to burn
themselves out and attention was paid to
prevent the fire from spreadng.
By this time, however, the two-story
dwellings on the east and west had caught
fire. The one on the east mum bered 1909
was owned by Joe POpheim and was
uuoccupied. The one on the west
nun bered 1217h and 1217A was owned
by Mrs. MEG fila and occupied by James
Ratigan On The top fiat. Timothy Ryan on
first fiat and Mrs. Rufenack in the base
ment.
Fortunately the occupants had time to
leave before the fire reached the house
and were able to save portion of their
fortune.
What gave the fremen the greatest
concern was the Hiberna Brewery, which
adjoined 1917. The wall of the brewery
next to the burning building was kept
deluged with water, and thanks to tho
skill displayed by the Chief the brewery
was saved.
A portion of the brigade was stationed
on Tehama street, the glass works running
the length of the block. At least the sheds
belonging to the works were on Tebama
street.
Two or three times, however. the roof
of large two-story frame dwelling on
Tehama street Immediately east of the
sheds was on fire. but the incipient Dlaze
was quickly suppressed.
Streams of water were poured upon
these sheds, and by this means the flames
were prevented from forcing their way to
the south.
The glass works is a total loss. both
buildings. stock and machinery being en-
tirely destroyed. The two dwellings. east
and west. were also Quilted, nothing but
the walls being left.
What the loss will be is hard to esti-
mate. but it will mount up to thousands Of
dollars.
People on the opposite side of Howard
when the heat was greatestlbecame frantic
with fear and were carrying out their fur
niture. but their fears were groundless.
From the time the first alarm was
sounded till all danger was practically
over not more than twenty minutes
elapsed This speaks we'll for the spleu-
did work done by the firemen.
j. NJ. McGlynn of 1915 Howard street
was returning home, and as be was as
cending the steps to his house saw flames
in the rear Of the glass works. He a. once
ran tn the nearest boX ana turned in an
alarm.
The fire ran from the rear to the chemi-
cal rooms, and in a moment the blaze filed
the entire building. and before the iremen
arrived the other buildings were in flames.
There were 5000 sacks of barley In the
basement of the Hibernia Brewery.
This was damaged by smoke and water.