The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-03

Pittsburg. Nav 2.-The greatest fire
that has visited this city since the
memorable one of lS45, started shortly
after midnight in the immense whole
sale grocery establishment of Thomas
c. Jenkins on Penn avenue and Liberty
street. and at 2:SO O'Clock was still
burning fiercely. Three large blocks.
extending from Liberty to Penn ave-
nue. and from Fifth street to Sixth
street, have been reduced 10 shoulder
ing ruins, and While the fire is now be-
lieved to have spent its fury, it is not
yet under control. The loss will ex-
coed S2,000.0G0 and is well covered by
insurance. Among the buildings de-
stroyed are Jenkins wholesale grocery
establishment, Horne's six-stUry dry
goods establishment. Horne's office
building, the Duquesne theater and the
Methodist book concern.
ITS START.
The FIRE started in the cellar of the
Jenkins building. in a pile of barrels
hlled with waste paper.
The flames were discovered by
Waterman William Hunter while MAX
ing his rounds on the third floor
He had smelled smoke earlier in the
evening. but believed that it came from
the outside and had paid no attention
TO It. The flames had leaped rapidly up
the elevator shaft and he made a vain
effort to eXtinguish the fire with buck
cts of water. An air draught used TO
Vertilate the great building famed the
flames and he found it impossible TO
do anything. He made his escape from
the building with great difficulty. be-
cause of the immense volume of smoke
The alarm was turned in about the
same time by Officer Milton Baily. who
noticed smoke issuing through the win
dow The fire made rapid Roadway
after i had started. and by 1880
O'Clock flames began to pour out of the
Penn avenue front
All the fire departments of the city
and Allegheny were summoned, and
the
FIREAiEN FOUGHT BRAvELY
to check the progress of the. confagra-
tion. The fire, however. attacked the
immense quantity of harreled oil. sug-
ar, molasses and -four that this build
ing contains. and by 12:45 O'Clock the
Penn avenue and Liberty street front
We're one mass of flames. The fire eat
its way so rapidly that the firemen mar
rowly ESCAPED falling debris. Flames
filled Penn avenue completely and shot
into the air POO feet or more present
ing one OF the most magnificent sights
seen for years. The splendid buildings
of Joseph Horne q Co. opposite. caught
ana the firemen worked desperately to
prevent its loss. At l o'clock the Horne
was burning from cellar TO
roof and the flames had spread to
tiorne's office building. The structure
was o. stone and also five stories in
height. II was occupied by w P.
Cries & Co. china dealers. Bon
M2rche Glove Co, Snamans carpet
house and scores Of physicians.
Hucks' cigar factory and Hall Broth
ers building next fell. and they were !
quickly followed by the Duquesne the
ater- Methodist book concern building
and tire Surprise clothing store The !
latter was an immense five-story build !
ing running back a depth OF 200 feet !
he IRE was the most magnificent sight I
seen in Pittshurg for years. When the |
Jenkins and Horne buildings had be- /.
come enveloDed in the confaGration, /
Penn avenue was ono mass of flames |
ard sheets of ire. With heavy columns /
d smoke sent 200 feet into the air.
The glare of the flames could be seen |
for miles and the streets for blocks I
around were brilliantly Illuminated.
BURNING OIL.
As soon as the fire attacked these
OU ldings several streams of water
we're turned on them. but the water
lad no more effect than if it was not /
IN eXtinguisher. The flames from the
burning Of IN the Jenkins building
oiled ont against them and in Ave
minutes the TWO beautiful Horne build
ngs We're burning briskly. The FIRE
nen then left the Jenkins building to
Is fate. and used their united and des-
,erate effolts to save the Horne build
ngs All The streams Of water that
.Ould DC summoned were turned on
hese buildings. but they were now one
PASS Of fire. The fire department then
urned their attention to the surround
ng buildings, but the raging flames
apidly ate their way 10 all sides. At
o'clock the fire was finally mastered.
Tut was still burning with intense fury
within the blocks bounded by Fifth
nd Sixth streets east and west. and
liberty and Penn avenues north and
o,.th
The loss it is now believed will be
realty in excess CT the first estimates
nd is placed at SS,e0e.00o.
FIREMEN INJURED.
4 number of fremen were injured
= falling walls and live wires. but
one of them is seriously hurt Fire
,
he three men Cecil alley when the
enkins wall fell. is missing, and is
opposed to be under the debris. The
ames Of the firemen hurt are Mike
)aly. Elmer Crocow, George Meekin.
William Erwin am Robert Badger.
III were taken To hospitals.
The Individual losses are as follows I
$ far as can be ascertained at this I
our
Horne & 20. dry goods and Office {
81. $780, 600; covered by insur- I
nee in hundred insurance COM :
anies. ii
T. G Jenkins. 100000 on stock and
300 600 on building.
The Duquesne theatre is still burn {
lg and the loss will probably reach
&c. 600: Mayors glove house. $4,000: w.
Cries & 60. $4,000; Shaman's car
Ell house. the Methodist book concern
uilding with tenants probably $4,000:
ucks cigar factor. $1,000. Speer
lansion, $4,000 Tenants of Horne 2
ailding, $4,000; small losses were sus-
lined by J. d. Chantler. Beesom t
aper company. Harmony Creamery j
I'D Force & Briggs Machinery Supply |
smpany. il