The Washington times., 1894-07-25
FIRST STORY OF THE FIRE.
Early Reports that Went Around About the
Holocaust.

Holocaust.
Of Second and streets northwest, known as
| Knox's Express, the stables attached, and
several adjacent dwellings were totally de-
stroyed by fire this morning involving an ag-
gregate loss of upward of 100000.
There were probably 500 horses in the
building, about one-fourth the number being
stabbed on the second floor.
All the animals on the ground floor were
saved; all the others destroyed.
The fire broke out in the main
building, where the offices were To-
Gated, but those who first discovered
the smoke say that within five minutes
the flames seemed to break out from
every portion of the building, and in less
than half an hour the hopelessness OF saving
the property was apparent.
The flames spread so rapidly and grew so
fierce and hot that there was great trouble In
getting the horses from even the first floor.
The occupants of the small tenements In
the court back OF the stables moved their
furniture out upon the stones in
the alley and as far away as the Third and
First streets. The women and children were
running about half clad and some in
Mysteries, screaming for help and
aaxiously hunting the missing members of
their families from whom they had become
separated.
The frightened horses were turned loose
upon the streets and were running about, add
ing to the general confusion by their fierce
neighs.
The telegraph poles in the space back Of
the storage-house and elsewhere near by
caught fire and burned till they toppled over
The north and east walls Of the stables fell
with a crash about 2:3o o'clock. Soon after
wards other walls tumbled, sending the
flames skyward and causing the sparks to fly
in every direction.
The firemen worked heroicalIy and labori-
ously, making every effort to stay tho prog
ress Of the fire. but nothing seemed possible
against the intense heat.
1t WAS more than once remarked
by the spectators that the flames
spread more rapidly and that the
pullulnR lor SO large structure was de-
stroyed more quickly than was ever before
known under similar circumstances.
The storage-houee contained a large
amount of property that had been left
there by persons who are now out
of town. 1t is therefore impossible TO gather
the extent of the loss to the owners, but it is
understood to aggregate very large amount
In contrast to the terrible suffering OF the
imprisoned victims. the surrounding scene
was most brilliant. The south side of Penn
sylvania avenue from Four-and-a-half to Sew
enth streets was brilliant with the glare.
Clouds Of steam from the Washington Cen
trail Market building were all aglow with re-
flected light. Far of to the southwest the
white shaft of the great monument stood out
clear and pale in crimson sky.
Even the green hills of Virginia seemed to
feel the strange light Over the doomed
building and the charred bodies of
the unfortunate victims tho sparks
danced straight up to the height OF a hun
dred feet. The infiammahle character of the
building was easy prey for the greedy flames
and they made fast work.
It is altogether probable that the loss o q.
cassioned by this fire will run close up to $500.
900. but at this time nothing like an accurate
estimate can be had, nor can anything be
ascertained about the insurance, except that
il Is stated that almost every home insurance
company will be affected.