Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-02
FURNITURE ON FIRE.
WALLER SCOTS WA8EHOOMs
VISITED BY FLAMES.
LARGE PART OF STOCK BURNED.
That Not Destroyed Injured by
Wntcr-Dnmagc over 100000, aud
Covered by Insurnncc-NnrFow Ls-
cape Of "a Fireman.


Main street. which are occupied as furni-
ture warcrooms by Mr.. Waller Scott.
were visited by fire yesterday afternoon.
and the upper (or fourth floor Of the
building was gutted. and the roof burned
off.
Mr. Scott had about 10000 worth Of
handsome furniture stored In the building.
ana all of 1t was more or less damaged
I'm fact so extensive was the damage done
by both fire and water that it is more
than likely that the loss will prove to
be total
The building is owned by the T. c.
Williams estate. and is one Of the oldest
structures in that portion OF the city,
having been erected just after the
evacuation. I'm 1866. 1t was considerably
damaged, but. as was the case with Mr..
Scotts stock. the loss is covered by in
surance. The ground floor Of the building
is occupied by the Richmond Transfer
Company. Dabney's ticket agency ana
X. H. Gilliam's real estate office but as
the flames were confined TO the upper
story, the damage to these concerns was
very slight.
SEEN BY PEDESTRIANS.
The fire broke out just a few moments
before 8 o'clock a time when the street
was lined with people going home from
business Smoke was noticed emanating
from the cornice at the rear OF the build
ing. where the structure is five stories.
The cry Of fire was quickly raised ana
i'm a few moments some one turned In an
alarm from Box 2l3. corner of Ninth and
a. 4rfra l4f
promptly but the apparatus had hardly
gotten ON the scene when a second alarm
was turned in chief Puller arrived in
few minutes. and. taking i'm with his
experienced eye the danger that threat
cned. he - once sent i'm the three-siXes,
calling out all the apparatus i'm the city
with the exception Of two reserve engines
and one truck. uperintendent-of-Fire-
Alarm Thompson then sent in the ten
ten signal. which ordered the electric
power houses to cut off their currents
and soon the street-car lines were at
standstiu
FRICTION N THE ELEVATOR SHAFT
I'm the mean time the fire. which, so
far as could be learned. originated from
friction I'm the elevator shaft, had gained
considerable Roadway. and was raging I'D
the top story. The engines were all at
work. and there were streams playing on
the building from all sides. These. how
ever. proved insufficient as they hadn
strength enough TO reach the top story.
The large Hayes extension truck was
placed i'm position i'm front Of the build
ing. but the ladders were not raised. until
the Chief. behind his fast horse, came
laundering up.
"Why are not those extension ladders
hoisted?' he CALCULATED.
1--WE are waiting for orders replied
the captain OF the company.
waiting for orders?' echoed the Chief.
Cant you see that fire up above you?
Isn't that orders enough? Run these lad
ders up
I'm "a moment the huge ladder shot mp
i'm the middle Of the street, and Lieuten-
ant G. u. Flppen. of Truck Company,
40. l. ran TO the top Of il, and, carrying
hose with him. handled the nozzle so
as 20 play directly into the windows
upon the fire lie occupied a perilous
position. but he never flinched, and con-
tnued TO pour q stream i'm through the
windows upon the names which seemed
to be growing hercer and hercer.
AN AWFUL MOMENT.
Suddenly. and without warning, the
heavy ladder began TO careen and a cry
of horror went up from the sea of up
turned faces. which had been watching
Mr.. Flippn play his stream. The ladder
hung for "a moment. ANA then crashed
over against the building. the now help
less Lieutenant hanging 10 the top
most round. Fortunately for him, he
was precip.tated directly against win
dow. and before ne could DO aught TO
avoid il. he was shot through the sash
into the flames, which leaped out to
meet him. and EMBODIED him In their en-
brace.
Almost instantly Mr. Flippin reappeared
at the window and grasped the receding
ladder before ii slipped from the window
sill This was mis- salvation. as without IL
as a means of escape he must have perish
"a i'm the flames. No sooner aid ne appear
at the window than two heavy streams
were directed on him. and he was kept
drenched while willing hands made The
bottom end of the broken ladder fast
Still covered by the streams the brave
hre-hghter then stepped out on TO the lad
! der and made his way TO terra flrma.
where me was surrounded by friends. who
congratulated him on his narrow escape
from an awful death.
Work was resumed on the fire, and
| about 9 O'Clock the last vestige Of the
/ flames had been extinguishcd and the ap-
paratus returned TO It's quarters.
THE INSURANCE.
Mr.. Scott carried Insurance on his stock
/ to the extent of $Z4S00, distributed as fol-
! lows:
Hamburg Bremen. $1,000. Germania.
| 81 oO0: Manchester. 5000, German Ameri-
| can. 81 300: Lancashire 5000; Pennsylva-
mia $1,000. Home. $1,000. Royal. 5000;
! Richmond Mutual. $l.500; Virginia state.
! 81 900: Continental, $500; National, or
! Baltimore. $500.
The building was probably damaged 20
the extent of 5000 and is insured for q
| great deal more than that i'm the Mutual
! Assurance Society OF Virginia.
THE DEPARTMENT DID WE'LL.
While the department didn't cease work
ON the building until nearly o'clock,
the fre-laddies had the flames under con-
troll within an hour after they began 10
cone with them. and they deserve a great
/ deal of credit. not alone for saving the
scott building. but for kepeing the flames
| from communicating to the adjacent pro-
perty. AS il was. some little damage
! was done TO the nearby houses Mcssrs.
II H. Boshers Sons carriage repository.
| Immediately in rear Of the burned build
| ing was damaged by water and the
breaking of glass TO the extent Of about
800. Taylor & Taylor, printers, in the
/ basement Of No S05 east Main street.
/ were damaged ABOUT ~" Dy water anu
the office OF the engineer In charge Of
James-river improvements, above Taylor
/ & Taylor's, was slightly damaged.
/ Mr.. A. Beirne Blair. cashier OF the Sc
| curitv Bank. suffered right heavy loss.
While awaiting the completion of his
new home. he had his furniture stored
I'm MIR Scotts wareroOms. and IL was
almost entirely consumed. together with
an oak dining-table. over one hundred
wears old. which was considered TO be
nriceless. owing 10 the fact that ii was
once the property Of Parson Blair.
I,,grNr AVN nAsfarr