Evening journal., 1896-10-09
A VERY COSTLY BLAZE.
William McNeal, a Fireman,
Crushed BY a Failing oof.
THE LOSS WILL BE ABOUT 100000
FLAMES STARTED IN THE EN-
CINE ROOM OF THE GARRETT
& BARR CO.-THE ORIGIN
OF THE FIRE A MYSTERY.

& BARR CO.-THE ORIGIN
OF THE FIRE A MYSTERY.
Fire last night destroyed the mo-
rocco factories of Garrett & Barr.
Charles Baird & Son and w. Jones
Company, to the extent of 100000.
There is insurance on the properties,
but the estimates could not be learned.
The fire was one Of the seYerest that
has occurred here in years.
The alarm was struck from box No.
IA, at Front and Poplar streets, and
the companies promptly responded. The
firemen first turned their attention to
the boiler-room of the Garrett G Barr
Co., where the fire seemed to have
originated. The men worked hard, but
their efforts we're of no avail. The
flames leaped from the boiler-room,
and in five minutes the factory was
ablaze. A second alarm was sent in
after the factories of Baird and Jones
had caught. The whole department
responded.
A FIREMAN KILLED.
By this time Garrett & Barr's place
was burning briskly, and the firemen
turned their attention to that building,
but were convinced that there was no
hope of saving it.
The Washington and Weccacoe were
located in the alley alongside Of the
building, but owing to the falling tim
bers and dense clouds Of smoke they
were ordered to leave William Nc
Neal one Of the Washington men, was
the last to leave the alley. AS he was
passing between the two walls, the
mansard roof on the small building ad-
joining Garrett & Bars gave way and
fell to the ground. McNeal was caught
beneath the falling roof and COM
pletely buried. His comrades rushed
to his assistance and succeeded in
getting him out at the risk OF their
own lives. The patrol wagon was sent
for, and the injured man was taken to
the Delaware Hospital, but died shortly
after.
The fire by this time had gained
rapid headway The flames shot across
the small space dividing the factories,
and it was but a moment until all of
them were ablaze. The fire crept along
the roof Of Baird's factory and then to
the Jones building Chief Welde or
dered the companies to divide up, leav-
ing two of them still playing streams on
the Garrett building, while the rest
turned their attention to the other fac
tories. In the meantime, the rear por-
tions of the buildings we're burning
like a furnace, and it was impossible
to reach the flames. owing TO the many
wings and cut-Offs. Stream after
stream was turned on the place,
drenching the stock and rendering il
useless.
A VERY PRETTY SCENE.
All along the big buildings the
flames were running and leaping, and
the darkness OF the night made one Of
the prettiest scenes ever witnessed at
a fire. Thousands were attracted TO
the scene, and the police worked as
hard as the firemen in keeping back
the surging mass Of humanity, which
otherwise would have greatly handi-
capped the firemen in fighting the
flames.
PEOPLE MOVING OUT.
The occupants Of the houses sur
rounding the factories lost no time in
moving out, and the street along the
depot was lined with goods. The houses
are occupied mostly by Poles and ne
groes, and they had a lively time over
their work.
The car sheds also furnished a good
place TO store their goods and under
the circumstances, the railroad officials
offered no objections.
M'NEAL'S SAD DEATH.
The saddest scene OF the fire was the
untimely death Of William McNeal. He
was married and lived at No. 105 Mon
roe street. He was a machinist by
trade and was well liked by his fellow
fremen. The Washington Fire Com
pany will meet tonight to take actioI
on his death.
While responding to the alarm th'
hose carriage of the Friendship wa
upset. Several men we're on the car
riage, but all escaped injury. The car
riage was badly damaged and will g
out of service. The firemen @rrke'
like Troians and fully showed thei
ability to cope with any department o
its size in the country.
While the fire was burning in tn
large factories, a small blaze was uis
covered in the home of James =
Draper. The chemical engine was sen
to the place, but its service was nc
needed, as the fire was extinguished b
, a basin of water.
During the fire the men were serve
with coffee by the members of the FRI
4 and the people in .he neighborhoOd.
The loss Of Garrett q Barr is est
r mated at $4,000, but may be more II
l. complete stock of the frri is gone an
the loss will be heavier on that az
count. The factories are insured.
The entire loss on the buildings coul
not he learned this morning. but IL
hsd.iCst win he that OF Washingto
- Jones & Co. THEW loss will I've aDCi
s150,O00.
The loss on the factory and stock
Charles Baird & Son is about $50
600, and is principally on the sJoC
which was heavy at this time.
: A telegram was received by NJ
Baird this morning from New Yor
asking him to hurry on the stock.
= sent word as to the condition of a
fairs.
The appraisers will begin their VOL
Monday. Baird & Son will resun
...-1- l., 4t,of~ old focfo~r- rrhf~d or