Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-04-27
BENwOOD FIRE.
Two StOrerooms, three Dwellings and
Stable Destroyed.

Two StOrerooms, three Dwellings and a
Stable Destroyed.
Just before the second alarm was
turned in from box 67, Mr.. Fred Happy
drove rapidly from the direction of
Benwood. and notified Chief Healy that
John Lubic's place was burning. When
the chemical arrived it was sent down
TO the scene. and later a line of hose
was attached to the plug at the street
car barn, and another engine was taken
to the river bank near the glue fac
tory.
The fire broke out in the second
story of the Lubic building, which is
situated on Main street, below Third
in Upper Benwood The flames spread
rapidly, and as there was no means of
fighting the fire, the neighbOrs confined
their efforts to saving the household eff
fects and stock of goods in the saloon
I'D the notion and clothing store ad-
lining. Mr.. Lubic's theory is that the
fire was caused by escaping natural
gas in the second story of the building,
which became ignited by spark from
the kitchen stove
The flames had gained such Roadway
when the Wheeling apparatus arrived
that 1t was apparent that several Of
the buildings must be destroyed. The
Chemical did very effective work in
preventing the fire from spreading to
adjoining buildings. The double two
story frame structure. occupied by
Mr.. Lubic as a saloon and clothing
store. was entirely destroyed. The
double two-story frame dwellings in
the rear on the same lot, also owned by
Mr.. Lubic. became ignited, and were
soon a mass of flames. Mr.. Lublc's
stable was also entirely destroyed.
Mr.. Adam Stocker lived in the new
dwelling adjoining Mr.. Lubic's houses
on the north. The flames spread rap
idly. and soon enveloped this house.
In half an hour it was a mass Of ruins
Staibs blacksmith shop, adjoining Mr..
Stocker's residence, was on fire once.
but was saved by the Chemical engine,
But for the efforts of the Wheeling de-
partment the burned area would have
been much larger. As it was, Mr..
Lubic lost four houses and a stable.
and MIR. StOcker a new dwelling, ana
the total loss will aggregate about
$4,000.
Mr.. Lubic's saloon was well stocked
with whisky, and there was large
quantity of dry goods, notions and
| clothing in the adjoining store room.
A portion of this was saved. The nre
spread so rapidly that very few house.
hold effects were rescued from the
flames Mrs. Tmbic barely had time
| 10 snatch her child and escape from
I the burning building. Seventeen Po-
/ Ianders. most of whom are employed
m the Riverside furnace, board at Mr..
Lubic's. A number of them were at
home. They remained in their rooms
until driven out by the flames, even
after being warned OF their danger.
/ The dwelling houses in the rear were
occupied by two Polish families, who
| lost all their possessions.
! Mr. Iubic last night stated that his
loss will exceed $4,000, while his
tenants and bOarderS probably lost
| $1,000. The Lubic property was In
sured in Joseph Emsheimer's agency.
The building was insured for S45l5 in
the Scottish Union, and the stock and
| household goods for $1,000 in the Hart
ford. Property belonging TO the Polish
| society. which held meetings at the
Mace. was insured in the Hartford for
| $500. The Stocker property was in
ssred in the Peabody for $500, and prob