The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-18
Firemen Combat the Flames While
Waist Deep in Water.
SHAKING LIME WAS THE CAUSE.
4 Beautiful Spectacle Last Night oa
East Cary Strect-Daring Deeds
of the Eircmcn-Thc Loss
Heavy. but Gov
cred by lnsu-
rance.

The immense brick building Of S. e.
Hawes d CO., al No. 1901 east cary
street. was almost totally destroyed By
fire last night between the hours OF 50
and II o'clock. involving d loss OF nom
$4,000 90 5000
Probably never in the history az Rich
mond have similar conditions prevailed
at dre and thero has not been blaze
of similar magnitude since the big to-
bacco factory OF Allen d Gintor was de-
stroyed some six years ago.
a BEAUT l',L sDENE
The scene last night was picturesque
beyond description Tile ice-.aden river
% the south was steIahy cucroa,hing
upon the ground occupied by the hre-
men. and soon they wefc up 90 their
waists in che chill nu,l hut never FOR
an instant did they cease the struggle
until the blaze WIS under control
There were deeds of her0ism. each ~
which deserves substantial recognition.
on tho part of tne 1remen Unterrided
by the inminen. danger of being crushed
70 death by falling walls. drowned IN
the fast rising WHttr or electr0cutel hy
tho falling of wires which almost dark
enod the sky above they stuck 70 their
task untll their work was accomplished.
In the absence 0f Chief Fuller. who Is
under positive orders from DTS physician
not 90 leave his room Assistant Chief
Shaw assumed charge and lad the men
WITH 'lat aggressive policy which won
him 'ls present position 0f trust
President John d. trschkorn. of The
Board of Fire Commis iouels aud SUI
perintendenl W. H. Thompson. OF the
nre-alarm system. We're among the first
10 arrive on the scene. and gave sub
stantal aid TO The aremen by voice and
example.
The big structure. which was one of
the largest buildings on Cary street. was
used by $. H. Hawos e. Co as an Office
and also for The storage OF lime. plaster
and cement IL was the former com
modify which causcd The trouble There
We're about a thousand bushels in the
house. and when .t became evident that
the river was sure 20 invade the build
ine a large force OF hands was put 10
work 90 remove d. to an upper door
sLAKED THE LIME.
All mad been removed with the excep-
tion OF some dfy or sixty barrels. which
We're near the door in he western pOr-
tion oi tno building when the water rush
-i .n.
Colonel O. Percy Hawes who was su-
per.utendug fhe work. at once sent IN a
stil alarm ami three companies re-
spoudel. Tlis was about $500 o'clock.
and am attempt Was made Oh slake the
line. This attempt might have succeed
ed but Cor the fact tlai lime .n another
portion of the huIfug took nre and In
en incredibly short time tIe fames were
shooting up toward the roof The water
had taen attained "a deun g. several
feet on tho southern side ~ the build
ins and tho hremeu found if Impossible
90 reach them directly
Al o'clock am alarm was turned Ia
from BOX y, and az 9.o5 a second alarm
was sent n by Chief Shaw. the flames
am the while gaining ground. bursting
through the doors and roaring through
the windows
At s.-i the signal 1910 was sent in 10
the power house and but @ short tine
had PASSED before thc are light current
was cuf orr. and the only illumination
was tha burning building, from which
myrlds of sparks were sent skyHard,
dropping in showers upon the ne ghbof-
ing roofs. which wore only saved from
ignition by the snow which covered
t-m.
in hy Chief shaw The response was
prompt ana there were then upon the
ground Eneinos Nos. I. 2. 3. g. 5 and :. D..
Inf0roed ny Truck Companies Nos I ana
. This Was practically the whole de-
partmenr With the exception of No.
Engine AND so o Truck which were
transferred to fhe Broad-strcct Engine
hoase to guard The central portion ~ thu
.lly and Ensno 80. s. which is guar
tered iu Fulton and was cut on by The
hish water.
A BATTLE ROYAL.
Then began battle royal Win ine
flames. aud never was there more
superb neht witnessed a Gordon of fire.
men was stretched around three sides of
.hs building. and streams ci water be
slu playiug upon The flames through
every available aperture.
Meanwhile the torrents of water from
Inc river eb0ed and flowed As an ice-
.orse would form the curont backed up
Intu the fremen were waisi-deep. Anon
10 o0hed. and they stood once more uron
'rm ground. Dut never Cor an Instant
ii they relax their efforts
lt seemed no first as thought the water
,o plentiiuly thrown upon them. only
'cl the flames They Increased every
instant in fury and volume. burst through
he windows. and finally the roof ZEN IN
ward with crash The flames SCARED
lirh above 10 throwing "A red glare over
DE city for miles around. and showering
l.s~c sparks upon the heads Of tho hun
ireds who stood around IN the snow and
,ush eagerly watching the beautiful but
terrible spectacle.
While the flames were AZ their height
,na the main efforts OF the fremen were
,.in- devoted to The northwest corner ~
hc building in an attempt % save the
.ash and b'ir1 factory of c. W Hard
,.icke inst across the street. there waa
. can for volunteers 20 break open the
loor in the upper portion Of the building
,ehlrd whieh the DANES were roaring
most urious'v
IN DEADLY Peril.
The attendant peril was deadly. but
he men did not hesitate moment. ficu-
ensnt j. p. Angel. Of Truck No ,. sprang
orward a ladder was run up. and ne
apidiy assembled axe IN hand. and v'for-
.,sfv attackcs the door BV strenuous
forts Ne several times succeeded IN
,rcine IL oren a few inches ne flames
CONTINUED on Fourth Pass)