Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-08
BERLIN, ND, FIRE SWEPT
4 Big Blaze Wipes the Little Town AL
most Out Of Existence.
HEAVY LOSSES, SMALL7INSURANCE
But Few People In Town to
Fight the Flames.
THE NAMES OF THE HEAVIEST LOSERS

Is fIS & Ns
Another Maryland Town Devastated by
Fire-Beriin, Md, Almost Destroyed Last
Night--The Flames subsidized Only When
They Gould Reach No More Buildings
Almost Clean sweep-Heavy Losses,
With Light Insurance.
Berlin, Md, Aug. 5.-This town was
almost destroyed last night by fire
which originated at $50 O'Clock in
the stables of G. W. Henry, from a
cigar.
Seyenty-five houses were consumed,
nearly all the stores, and about 90 resi-
dences The total area burned was
about six acres. The total loss is
about SlT5, 900, with only about 1875, 600
insurance in amounts of 81, 900 to
81, Co., mostly in mutual companies
There were few people in town, Ocean
City and eampmeeting HAVING called
away nearly all of the fire-fghting in
habitants.
The fire brigade did good work in
checking the porgress of the flames
toward the west, but towards the north,
south and east efforts were unavailing,
though only gentle wind was blowing;
The flames spread with rapidity, and
soon the large Atlantic Hotel and all
the buildings on Broad street, as far
north as the residences OF j. r. Pur-
nell, were enveloped. The flames
.leaped across Broad street and ignited
the buildings on the opposite side.
The porgress Of the fire was checked
near Bell g store, the post-office and DIR.
I. A. Franklin's drug store, leaving
these buildings standing, though badly
scorched and with much damage to
stocks by water. Though checked in
this direction the flames spread to the
south on both sides Of main street,
destroying in their course the large
storehouse of Edward s. Furbush &
Co., DR.. Levin Derickson, A. F.
Powell g. Co., J. T. Keas & Co., Pur-
nell Bros, p. B. Lane, DIR. S. X. Mar
shall, H. E. Penny & Sons, the Adams
Express Office, with contents, Clay Con
! naway, T. S. Hammond g. Bro, Henry
Tingle, R. E. Parsons, Wise & Powell,
7 Peter Parker, John Mullford, John
i Chopper, Henry Anderson, Charles
| Quillen, Miss Mary Anderson, Miss
Lizzie Tilghman, G. E. Evans.
In addition to these there were many
people of moderate means who occupied
portions of stores as dwellings. All of
their possessions were taken from the
houses only to be consumed in the
streets. A great many articles from the
from the buildings, but owing to the
general confusion, were heaped in places
where they were overtaken by the flames
and consumed. 64e483 asNsdsa &
Whole stocks of goods were placed in
brick building which was presum-
ably fire proof, but which soon sue
cumbed, sending up in smoke and
4 flames the goods which were thought
TO be secure.
The fire extended in all directions
with great fury, only stopping when
there was no house close enough for 1T
to reach.
The insurance companies after num-
erous heavy losses in towns OF this de-
scription in this vicinity, cancelled
nearly all their policies, leaving the
town with only a pittance Of Insurance.
Only four stores were left standing in
the business part of the town, and they
( were separated from the burning blocks
by wide street. 's-e s-- n.
The post office, Odd Fellows Hall,
G. B. Taylor's bank, DR., T.. Y: Frank
Inns, Emery Bells and J. A, Boston's
stores, school houses and all the
churches still remain.
The heaviest losers are E. S. Fur
bish a Co., stock, SIG, 600, no insur-
ance; j. T. Keas, stock, SIS, 900. no
insurance; A. F. Powell, store and
stock, $40, 200, no insurance; W, r.
Purnell, store and stock, So, 000 no in
eurance; HI. f. Harmonson, hotel and
stables, 80, 600, insurance, "a, 200.