Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-07-14
BIG FIRE THIS MORNING.
WASHINGTON STREET VISITED BY
A DISASTROUS BLAZE.


burueu TO the GROUND ana NIllIam Jen-
kins' Double Dwelling Partially De-
stroyed-Loss Is Over $4,000.
A mysterious fire was discovered
shortly after 80 o'clock this morning
on South Washington street, and before
the firemen obtained control of the
flames one building was burned to the
ground and double dwelling was par
TALLY destroyed The buildings were
owned by Councilman M. Zemany and
William jenkins and were occupied by
Squire Hugh Shovlin and George Pagan.
The loss from fire and water and dam
age to furniture, as nearly as the in
terested parties could estimate this
morning, is over $1,000.
The Iemany property was located at
the extreme end of South Washington
street, next to the Lehgh Valley Rail
road tracks. The fire was discovered
by John Ii. Shovlin, who lives nearly
opposite, and the entire structure was
then a mass Of flames. The interior, it
is stated, was burning fercely and the
fire had broken out at the sides of the
building.
From this point it is several blocks to
the fire bell, and much time was lost in
getting to the alarm. Once it was
sounded, however, the response was
prompt on the part of the firemen and
citizens, and two streams were turned
on the blaze, which, by this time, had
communicated with the Jenkins proper
ty, on the side occupied by Squire
Shovlin.
Tho fire in Mr. Zemany's building had
such headway that it was known to be
doomed from the time it was discovered,
and strenuous efforts were made to save
the adjoining property, That the fire.
men succeeding in even partially ac-
complish this is due to their hard work
for half an hour and to the fact that the
morning was calm and without wind
The intense heat from tho Xemany
building interfered with the saving of
much of Mr.. Shovlin's furniture and so
rapid was the advance of the fire that
many articles on the second floor were
burned before they could be reached.
Everything on the garrcts of both resi-
dences were destroyed, and many valu-
able articles of both families were
broken and damaged while being taken
out.
Efforts were made early to pull down
the Zemany building, but these were
not successful until large part of il
had been burned. 1t was built of very
strong timber, and one section, contain
ing an ice depository, resisted until the
last. The heavy lumber and sawdust
combined to make the fire an exceeding
ly hot one. The other sections of this
building were used as a storehouse for
liquors and wines, and several barrels
OF these went up in smoke. 1t was two
stories high, with bottlng establish
ment in the basement.
Mr.. Jenkins property was a fine dou-
BILE dwelling, only few feet distant
from the other, and will have to be
practically rebuilt, although much of
the lumber on Mr.. Fagan's side can be
used again.
The mysterious part of the fire is that
no work has been done in the Zemany
building for some time, and there was
no fire of any description, nor chemicals
that might start a blaze, in or around
the premises. 1t has every appearance
of ncendiary origin.
There was no insurance on either of
the buildings, their contents or the fur
niture of Messrs. Shovlin and Pagan.
Mr.. Zemanys property had been insur-
ed, but tho policy expired in November,
1897 and was not renewed
The estimated losses are: NJ Zem-
any, building, s2,2 contents, $500.
William Jenkins, building, 81, 500. Hugh
Shoylin, furniture, books, etc, 500.
George Pagan, furniture, etc, $500.
Mr.. Pagan removed today to Timony's S
building on Adams street and Mr.. Shov-
lin to William Mulhearns building on
Washington street.