The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-25
STUBBORN MIDNIGHT PlRE.
Chief Fuller and His Firsmsn PreYent
a Great ConfasratiOn.
THE FIRE WAS IN CAMpDELL'S STUDIO.
A. Creentree's Clothing stock Also Badly
Damaged by Water - Campbell
Heavy Loser-An Account OF
tho Fire-lnsurance.


hours of struggling with almost over
whelmlng obstacles, he managed, by sheer
grit and perseverance, TO master one OF
the most stubborn fires that no has ever
had occasion TO fight.
At 1910 o'clock last night an alarm OF
fire was turned in from box ZIG, which Is
located at Fifth and Broad streets. The
fire was in the three-story brick building,
ANo 429 east Broad street, which Is oc-
cupied on the main floor by A. Greentree.
who conducts a clothing business, while
Charles .. Campbell uses the remaining
floors for his photograph studio.
CUT HIS HAND.
The fire was discovered by Mr.. F.A. Arm
Zen, who. in company with several friends,
was passing down the street. lie saw
the smoke coming from the top Of the
building, and ran across the street TO tho
fire box. here he turned in the alarm In
doing this he had to break the glass
box containing the key TO the fire-alarm
box. and in so doing cut his hand very
badly.
Engine Companies Nos. 4. and g. with
the chemical engine and Truck No. ].
were quick to respond with Chief Puller
In charge. AS soon as he saw the locality
and nature OF the fire. he sent In the
second alarm. which brought Engine Com
panles Nos. and 7, and Truck No. TO
the scene.
The fire was found 10 bo on the third
floor in the rear OF the building, and for a
long while 1t was almost impossible to
get at the smothered flames.
The building is in tbe shape OF the let
ter l., having communication In Us
rear into the millinery store OF Mrs. l.. Il.
Morris, which fronts on Fifth street. and
which was originally a part OF the build
ing.
HEMMING THE FIRE.
Chief Puller stationed two engines at
Sixth. one at Fourth and the other az
Fifth streets. which with tho chemical
engine. gave him five streams. A detach-
ment OF the five were quickly on the top
OF the houses facing on Fifth street, but
from this position found that they could
do little with the fire. which was now
beginning to break through the roof.
SERIOUS OBSTRUCTION.
Chief Puller's next move was 10 carry
the chemical hose up tho long stairway
that leads to Campbelrs studio. Here
he was met by two obstacles-a huge iron
gate which closes the entrance and tho
dense volume OF smoke which filled up
the stairway. The firemen quickly beat
down the former obstruction with their
axes and needless Of tletr own peru
braved the latter.
Next to Grentree's is Smith and Jur-
gems furniture store. Up through this
a stream of water was also carried and
before long the building was literally
flooded. The tall street ladder was
brought into play after about an hours
work and by the use Of II Chief Fuller
managed to get still another stream 10
play upon the fire..
During this time a large crowd had
collected. The street was filed with the
dense clouds OF smoke that were blown
here and there by the wind
DAMAGE BY WATER.
The immense amount OF water thrown
into the building will make a total loss Of
Mr. .CampbelIs stock and greatly dam
age Mr.. Greentree's.
In the cellar OF the building the Cohen
Company had twenty-five cases OF blank
cts upon which there was no insurance
There seems To be no theory advanced
for the origin OF the FIRE beyond the fao1
that It originated in the rear Of the
third floor.
ORIGIN a MYSTERY.
II left the gallery with my clerk, Mr..
GlaZebrOok, at 8 o'clock yesterday even
ing. after enjoining him, as usual. 10 take
precautions against fire." said Mr.. chas.
o. Campbell, the photographer.
Everything seemed all right, and 1t
hardly seems possible that the fire could
have originated on my floor.
There were no fires or lights left
burning. that I know OF.
I'VE sometimes allow gas jet to re-
main lighted. in the closet. which oc-
cupies dark corner OF our floor. and IL
is possible that this was burning last
night
"The burner was well protected from
the wood work. and that 1t could have
started the blaze Is extremely improb-
able
Being a raw day. the assistants may
have had a fire." was suggested, but Mr..
Campbell could not confirm this.
1T happens just as the Photographic
season begins" continued Mr. Campbell.
at a time when IL means the loss OF
years work.
MIR. CAMPBELL'S LOSS.
Not the least OF Mr.. Campbelrs losses
was the destruction Of negatives. among
them some Of the leading celebrities OF
stage and public life. Mr.. Campbelis
possession OF an extensive list OF like
nesses OF Richmond notables was one on
which he prided himself. To these Is
added the loss OF a number Of fnc oil
paintings.
Mr.. A. ID. Hotaling. manager OF tho
vitascope counted himself lucky 10 have
escaped without loss to his instruments
and paraphernalia. which are very yalua-
bic. His establishment adjoins the dam
aged building, and IL was remarkable that
IL got off without even a wetting.
Through the efforts OF the iiremen, but
temporary delay was incurred 10 the
street ears, the obstruction OF the half
dozen lines OF hose being overcome by
means of trusses which raised the hose
out OF the way.
LOSSES AND INSURANCE.
The building was owned by Mrs. /.
Rosenbaum. and was insured by Julius
strauss & Sons in the Glens Falls Com
many for $3.50. The same agents also
placed Mr.. Greentrees insurance Tor MN
as follows:
Western Assurance Company. 1850.
British American. 600.
Virginia Fire aud Marine, 5000.
German FireInsurance Company. 1850.
I.oudcn and Lancashire Fire Insurance
Company. 1880.
Commercial Union Assurance Company,
1900.
Germania Fire Insurance Company.
1850.
Mr.. Campbells total loss was about
II 600 He has $500 insurance placed with
one Of Mr.. Howard Swineford's compan-
les.
AT the hour OF going to press the FIRE
was still burning. although under ccntroi.
FIREMAN INJURED.
Edward Mccormick. member OF Trunk .