The sun., 1898-01-09
FIRE Twice IN ONE DAY.
Mitchell's Roofing Establishment
in Flames Yesterday.
A MATCH HEAD THE CAUSE.
The .SecOnd Fire Involved Several
Other Buildings and a Second
Alarm Was Struck.

Two alarms sounded yesterday from
box No. IL, which is situated in front O
the City Hall.
In both cases the fire was in the roofing
establishment OF Frank A. Mitchell, on
West Fifth street, between Orange and
Shiplcy streets.
The first fire occurred shortly after
o'clock yesterday morning, and was
caused by u piece Of blazing sulphur
which flew from the head Of match.
Mr.. Mitchell mad just arrived at the
store and after attending to a few matters
in the office, he went to the cellar which
is stored with paint, tar and kerosene oil
and other material used in roofing. TAX
ing a match from his pocket, he struck
it causing a small piece OF sulphur flame
to fall in pool of paint Instantly the
paint took fire and smoke poured from
the cellar.
Mr.. Mitchell and his clerks ran from
the building and took positions across
the street.
Officer Davidson at the station house
struck the alarm from box No. IL. The
engines responded promptly and in
twenty minutes the fire was under con-
troll.
The alarm drew several hundred people
about the place, but they soon dispersed
when some one yelled that the cellar
was full of barrels containing kerosene
oil, and much excitement prevailed.
Mr.. Mitchell stated the damage was
slight, mostly caused by water, and that
it was covered by insurance.
The second fire broke ont about $50
o'clock in the evening with Unrclcntlng
fury, driving clouds Of smoke and flames
skyward. After the first alarm pcalcd
out, it could plainly be seen that the
entire department would be needed to
quell the raging gconnagration. The second
and general alarm was struck but few
minutes after the first causing thousands
of people to congrgatr about the scene.
Fifth street was ropcd off, giving the
fircmen plenty OF space to fight the
flames, which they did with Il will SCI
dom seen. In very short space OF time
dozen streams OF water played ON tie
flames. Dense columns # smoke tinted
with the red glare Of flames, arose from
the burning buiihing. The horses ard
wagons were qnickly taken from the
building to Il place Of safety. Buildings
in the Immediate vicinity of the fire
were in great danger nf catching fire,
but the frclucn succeeded in controlling
the blaze before such codld take place.
After one hour OF hard work the fire
was exlnsnishcI
Considerable damage was done by
water to the stores of Harry lcrser and
George IIarlcaStIc, at Nos. Az and 4l'
Shiplcy streets. -,
Damages to the tire, buildings will
amount to $4,000.
Mr.. Ycagcr's damage was confined to
his stock, amounting to $500 on winch
there is no insurance. Mr.. flardcastle,,s
stock was also considerably damaged,
but not to such an extent as leastrs,
although the rear portion Of his building
was considerably damaged byth flames
1t is covered by insurance, His 'ss vi !
reach 5000. Mr.. Mitchell places his
loss, including stock and building, at
SO 900, covered by insurance.
At one O'Clock the fire broke ont again
and a still alarm was sent to the Wash
ington Fire Co., and the chemical engine
and hose carriage responded. 1t re-
quircd a plug stream to cXlin%ulSh tine
flame. The hose was lett connected ana
put in charge OF the walclnrn I" meet
any CmrrEpnclrS.