The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-05

years ago. Within a few minutes after
the discovery OF the fire the Rogers-Peet
building was a roaring furnace. An alarm
was turned in, which brought more than
a score OF engines to the scene. 1t was
but q short time when the flames had eaten
through the wall OF the Home Life and
were roaring high above that lofty struc-
iure. Thousands of people had gathered
on the scene, and the binding glare Of the
flames 1t up the lower part OF the city.
Even in the downpour the great crowds
CT people grew. and the police reserves
were called out from many stations and
kept the people back for blocks. Great
showers OF sparks were carried in all d.
rections by the gale that blew sixty miles
an hour. II was a picturesque fire.
The Home Life Insurance building was
occupied by that company and by large
number OF prominent men in various lines
of business. Every effort was made 10
save the valuable papers stored In some
Of the offices. bat many OF these were lost.
The Offices Of the Rapid Transit Company
were on the ninth floor of this building
and 1. Is believed that all the plans OF the
work on which the company had been
working this many years are destroyed. In
the Postal building as well there were many
serious losses OF a private nature, and
when the flames reached the operating
room Of this structure. which they did
within three hours of the outbreak one or
their pests were compelled 10 fee for their
lives. leaving unsent messages az the KEYS
The fire burned more fterceiy III the Home
Life building. owing TO the great height
OF this structure, and IN an incredible snort
Tine the upper half Of this msgn!flcent
building was n flames. The water towers
in the street were able TO throw their
heavy streams only into the lower Yart OF
the structure. and the fircn1en, though they
worked with great bravery and uutlrlng
energy in the binding smoke aud heat
could little he al fFnh
sweep OF flames and gale. Ii was only
question 81 time when the Postal building
also. IS far as tie upper stories were con.
oerned. went the way of the others.
The estimate Of the losses by Chief Bon
nsr was a million dollars. with "A proha-
bility q a etll further loss should the
fire continue 10 make anything like rapii
progress. At this hour. however he be-
l'cNes ne has the IRE under control within
reasonable limits.
AZ o'ciock, however. 1t was still burn
ing .lercely ia front and although not OBJ
sertHsh{e by tie thousands OF spectators,
was burning sull more Hereby and extend
ing lower down in the rear
An insurance man roughly estimates the
losses az alAosit 81 follows:
Rogers Peer * Co. building, stock and
losses 20 other tenants $50 ~; Home I.fs
Insurance Company. building and losses
- other tenants. sas>.gna The Postal Te.e-
1 graph Company. building and losses 10 ten
snxs, SAGE
chief Bouuer thought that this estimate
on tae basis of million dollars loss was
about - near correct Was possible 10
make
The Eogess-Pee; building VAS the prom
cry - tae hoffman estate and was one Of
the historic buildings az broadway. Il was
erected th1rty~.ive years axo.
The fife started from three EXPLOSIONS.
! Nhat Cssalssl TIE explosions No one knows
J..se Hremea could nSt find oslE They
though. gas had escaped in some Kramer
/ IL TIE tssseIne 1t and Sc Resulted lE explcS-
zen ard n-V.
TIC Postal 'Felsgyaph Company officials
say I3sat "a tAsig wires have been burned
oslt ard jAs< they had no connections frsorr,
the building Tbs Hardware ClGn'S as4ar-
/ tiers. paich we're on the top floor ~ the
/ loss a 0sai1ing. were ru@ned. Tassr losss :
heavy.
Tee Homo Insurance. building wax ore
q 800 h&0eSSssfsssSt on Broadway AMI WAS
supposed "a De Absolutely slrs proof
a. @..A Hre Chief Bonner went hes,ta
SAYING THAT ghe frs would burn Itself ost
II shorg Uzgaes ana hat IL aoul4 net .;lr,zsI
al q as practically 1us.