The sun., 1898-10-22
FIRE N SOUTH WILMINGTON
Flames Licked Up Barn, Paint
Shop and Dwelling Of A. G.
Taylor.
The BLAZE SEEN FOR MILES
Many People Plunged Through Mud
and Water Breathing Maledic-
tiOns on the Street and Sewer
Departments Neglect.
The Loss is $500.

The ringing of fire bells and grea
lurid glare in the southern sky caused
great excitement among the citizens O
Wilmington shortly after 7 o'clock las
evening.
The fire was thought at first by many
to be farm house few miles beyond
the city limits, but investigation showed
that it was portion of Taylor's row Oh
the New Castle causeway, and within
the limits of Wilmington.
The stable, paint shop and dwelling o1
Andrew G. Taylor, the owner of Taylor
row, were destroyed by fire.
Thousands of people followed the fire
engines through the pouring rain, over
Market street bridge, and along the
causeway until they were stopped by the
body of water that covered the road,
which was caused by the exceedingly
high tide and steady downfall of rain,
and the low condition of that thorough
fare.
1t was impossible for pedestrians to
get within several squares of the burning
buildings, unless they waded in water
about two feet deep, and this was done
by many.
A general alarm was sent in, but only
the Fame Hose and Washington Fire
Companies went into service. They soon
had the flames under control.
Mr.. Taylor's stable and paint shop
were entirely consumed, and the roof
and back part of his dwelling were SO
badly damaged that the house and furni-
ture are almost total loss.
The buildings consumed were frame
structures, and were probably 10 years
old, and the infammable character of
the contents of the paint shop made a
grand, imposing and destructive conf1a-
grafton, and only the heroic work of the
Wilmington firemen saved the whole
row.
The Fame Hose was the first on the
scene, and was followed a few seconds
later by the Washington Fire Company,
and as Chief Sasse saw that these two
companies were the only ones that were
needed. the others returned, without
going into service.
The property was fully insured and
the loss will amount to about $50, 900.
The origin of the fire is unknown. 1t
started in the barn.
The blaze was viewed by many from
house tops and other high places, and it
was thought to be far worse than close
inspection showed.
Many and deep were the curses OF
those who waded in mud ankl, deep
and water much deeper, and the fact
that the Street and Sewer Department
had charge of the causeway was well
and maledction after maledic.
ton was hurled at this body for allow
ing such conditions to exist, after the
publications OF the various
and the numerous promises
of that busy department to attend to
this miserable road
They also excused those residents of
that section of Wilmington for their re-
peated digs at the Street and Sewer De-
and realized that living in
high and dry portions of the city, that
they could not appreciate the kick made
by citizens of South Wilmington. The
public saw that many of the residents
we're unable to leave their homes at
present without going through water
knee deep. Every one that tried to at
;end the fire last night will have last
ing remembrance of rainy night on
New Castle causeway.