Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-04
THIRD BIG BLAZE
At Toronto Within Two Months, in
Retail Section Of the City,
Does Damage to Exten. Of S1,20O,ooO win
s56O,000 Insurance.

a;saStrous confiagration that has VlSlteu
this city in less than two months, occurred
this morning. The fire originated IN the
heart of the retail section of the city, start
ing at ~. 40 A. NJ, in the new depart
ment store of Robert Simpson, southwest
corner of Yonge and Queen streets Slmp-
sons building was an immense seven-story
structure completed only six months ago
Mt n cost of $50, 600. The fire started In
the rear potion of the southern annex
and spread with such rapidity that within
half an hour the whole building was
mass of flames.
A general alarm was turned in hve
minutes after the discovery of the fire,
and the whole fire brigade was on the
scene before /, but its combined efforts to
confine the fire to Simpsons building
proved futile. The only steam fire en-
CINE in the city was brought into action
to assist the streams from the MIGRANTS
although the water pressure was fairly
good. The front wall fell at l, and 20
minutes later the whole building col
lapsed, sending sparks in all directions.
Meanwhile the fire had crossed Queen
street and the big clothing store OF Phll'p
Jamison, northwest corner of Yonge
street, was quickly destroyed, with Its
immense stock. The adjoining dry goods
house of Joseph Sutcliffe & Sons, 'front.'
ing on Yonge street with an annex run
ming through to Queen street, was COM
uletely Quilted and the stock is total
loss. Next north was George McPher-
sons boot and shoe store. This was bldIy
Quilted. South of Simpsons on 4onge
street, the large jewelry store of John
Wanless was damaged considerably in the
rear, but the front portion escaped serious
injury.
Crossing Yonge street, the fire attacked
Henderson block, northeast corner OF
Queen street, occupied by James Bonner
gentlemen's furnishings, and Miss NJ. K.
Brisley, millinery both of whose stocks
were completely ruined. The roof of G.
4. Adams & Co.'S house furnishings store,
next north, was burned through and the
valuable stock of furniture carpets, etc,
much damaged by water.
A change in the direction of the wind
caused the flames to leaped south across
Queen street and the Imperial Bank build
ing at the southeast corner OF Yonge street
was ablaze. The lower fiat, occupied by
the Imperial Bank rs branch, was flooded,
but escaped serious damage by fire. The
remainder of the building, occupied by j.
+. Brown & Co. as furniture and carpet
warehouses, was less fortunate and the I'M
mense stock is a total loss.
In the next two stores to the south,
fronting on Yonge street, occupied by
James Milne g. Co., hardware, and e. NJ.
Henerson, auctioneer, everything was
consumed. South of these We're Dunfield
& Co, gentlemen furnishings, and the
fremont hotel, both of which were badly
Quilted.
Creeping east to Victoria street, the fire
found its way to the knights of Pythias
hail. where it's progress in this direction
was finally arrested. This hall was con
siderably damaged and the Knights lost
most of their furniture and regalia.
Just as the fire was believed to be I'M
der control, a cry went up from the crowd
that the steeplc of the Fox Presbyterian
church, 200 feet high, on Queen street, to
the west of Simpsons, was on fire. The
firemen could not reach half way up, and
che steeple burned through and fell.
The fire ate its way down into the bell
tower, and at o'clock, the great bell fell
tumbling into the basement of the tower,
where it lies buried under a mass of debris,
Inc falling OF GnG lower onaDieu Une lire
men to reach the flames and they were
quickly got under control, but the church
sustained great damage from water. The
Knox is one of the finest and probably the
most historic of the church in in the city.
The departmental store of L. Eaton &
Co. was on fire several times and was only
saved with much difficulty. 1t would
likely have gone with the rest had it not
been for the excellent system of fire ap
pliances. with which the big store is
provided. AS it was, the Queen street an
mex was considerably damaged.
The building in which Jamieson's store
is situated is owned by the Ontario Agri-
cultural and Arts Association. and in the
upper portion of the building was Agri-
cultural hall. In the archives We're some
valuable collections of cattle pedigrees ard
other official stock breeding records, all
of which were burned and cannot be re-
placed.
Ths ascertained losses foot up 1,140,-
900; Insurance. $3.50, 900. Several smaller
losses among tenants and roomers will
increase the loss to 1, 200 900.