Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-29
The Fiery Elements, Famed by a sus Strong Wind,
SWEEP HOUSE AFTER HOUSE
Despite the United Efforts of v All the People-The
 Losses.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.s Marcn zo.--riro . broke out in the blacksmith shop occupied by John Masters, in the old building owned by k. J. Mickler, on Charlotte street, two doors north Of Buutiug's fur niture establishment, at 12:45 p. m. caused by sparks from the forge setting fire to the roof. It was discovered by boy working in CArcapa's cigar factory on Hipolita street, who gave the alarm.
 The fire department and residents re- spouded quickly, as the neighborhood is a vertable finder box; but owing to the in- adequate water supply the fire, famed by a west wind, crept northwards to the build- ing occupied by Markle & Hince, carpen- ters and painters, which the flames found the necessary material for confiagration. ,e Several citz,ns then seeing the necessity for aid advised the mayor to wire Jackson vile. This Mayer Pinkham refused to do, saying the local fire department could put out the fire. The mayor doubtless took the proper course. The wind was to the sea and with hard work the fire was kept from burning west into St. George street.
 Meanwhile the flames licked up the two- story home of Mrs. J. M. Byrne and con- tents, and also the George Washington vacant residence owned by the Sisters or St. Joseph, on the corner of Hipolita ani Charlotte streets. The fl .mes crossed Hlpo- lita and the frame tnree-story furniture store and tenement building occupied by Kuhn and owned by B. A. Masters, with contents, was consumed. The flames leaped across Charlotte street through vacant lot, caught Gibbs mansion, fronting the bay, and in few minutes, it too, was a seeth- ing furnace. he efforts of Dr. Anderson and others who were driven from the roof were turned to removing furniture to the streets. but their efforts were In vain, as the flames consumed the furniture and leaped seaward so as to set fire to sail boat opposite.
 Charlotte street to the store and residence know as he old Genever store and re- duced it to ashes. Thence the fire jumped east 10 the rear of the beautiful residence owned and occupied by the Misses Gemose and Bartola Genovar and family and de- stroyed it with the contents, which had been placed for safety next to the sea wall.
 The flames began eating tEeir way both north and south, and destroyed the homes of Bosse and Munson, on the east side of Charlotte street, the James Rsnick prop eriy, J. M. Stewards two dwellings and stores, George Pioson's photograph gall . Iery, and a neighboring house on the south. 1hence along the bay street the flames moved south, wiping out the two story dwelling owned and occupied by Capt. Danlel Allen and family and board CTS, and destroyed all the household effects.
 To the north of Bay street the flames spread from the Gibbs mansion and soon destroyed the large double residence owned by Mrs. Randall and occupied by the Co., burn family, the old landmark, the Couuina house, owned by the J Andrea es- tate, the fine two story residence owned and occupied by A. J.. Burgess, the rapid firing gun inventor, and he house next on the south, owned and occupied by P. V. Capo, completing the destruction of every habita- tion from Bays lane 10 Cuna street and stopping for time at the old blacksmith shop on the north side of Cuna street. The firemen, cit,Zsns and tourists, women and children were all hard at work removing household effects to places of safety, back to St. George street, for the fire had crept back to Carabaca's two story brick cigar factory on Hipolits street and soon the flames destroyed the building and contents.
 Carabaca has already arranged. for new quarters, as he has tobacco in the custom house.
 Next the flame caught and consumed the two-btory building occupied as saloon by Tony Ximanes on the west and owned by T. A. Russell. Here the westward course yard between this building and the LoriI- lard villa and want of material. The main efforts of the firemen were directed to Bunt- ing's large warehouse next north of the seat of the fire.
 The flames were seemingly intent on reaching the piles of stacked dry lumber to the rear and northward to the Genovar Bros. & Co. e cigar factory, large two story frame building to the rear of the op. era house, which meant, had the fire not been checked, the destruction of the opera house, the Argyle, the Magnolia, the Florida house, and, in fact, the whole length of St. George street.
 The flames were checked here by force under the direction of J. A. McGuire, aud they undoubtedly saved this extensive and valuable area. Heth Garfield, with force, early took charge of and aided in prevent. ing the spread of the flames into the second warehouse and store of the Bunting plant before McGuirs's force got to work. Mean while Chief Ballard had stream in front of Bunting's and checked the flames within Munson's second house, occupied by Mouserrat and young Whitley, the prin- ter. This being considersd the seat of the conflagation little attention was given to the Bay front, and the flames ieaped from Aliens house to the Bay, two-story house, occupied by Mrs. Julia A. Bag ley, who lost everything with the house. The flames crossed Bays lane and consumed the old ice house, large frame structure, and sev- eral small buildings. This was the south house of connecting this disaster with the northern limit of the great fire which eight years ago destroyed the property bounded by Treasury street.
 At this time several kegs of gunpowder had been brought upon the scene al the suggestion of citizens who advocated the blowing up of the buildings to prevent the spread of the flames south, but Mayor Pinkham refused permission, believing that the department was able to control the hre at this point, which fortunately owing