Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-10-01
SWEPT BY FIRE
A Large Portion Of West Norfolk
Lies in Ruins.
soStcttcr'ssnw sInl ANA Dry Kiln.
Two General stores nud sixty
Donb,e Dwci,inss Ia A.h.. II ~
area,nro sInmc,c,s anal nn IS

The most disastrous conilagration
that ever visited Nest Norfolk swept
that place last night. destroying large
amount OF property. The fire started
about I p. nj. in kitchen in the Han
nah building, q two-story frame build
ing occupied as n shoe shop and for
dwelling purposes, situated at the cor
ner Of Hamilton street and Fourth ave-
nue. 1t Is supposed to have oeen
caused by defective stove pipe.
1t was noticed quickly, an alarm
turned in and an attempt made to get
Il stream OF water from nearby ny
drant, but before water could be had
the fire was beyond control. nortn-
east wind prevailed and this swept the
fire along in Il southwestcrly direction
quickly licking up four rows OF two
story, frame. double houses, about six
ty in number, all occupied by colored
tenants.
In its spread the flames destroyed the
general stores of Henry Hale and Par
sons II Weatherby. All ~. &c d. fiat car
loaded with lumber, the Hostetter saw
mill and dry kiln, which was filled with
lumber, and a quantity of logs and
tram ways In the mill yard. At late
hour the Thghman barrel factory is
threatened. as the wind Is in its direc-
ton, the lire is near 1t and there APP
pears to be no means of fighting the
flames.
HOMELESS AND PENNILESS.
The fire rendered homeless about
one hundred and twenty colored ,ram-
lies, leaving only three houses standing
in the place occupied by colored ten
ants. These people. as rule, had
warning In time TO save most of their
slender houachold effects, but some lost
all. ana are left without dollar or
anything but what they had on their
backs.
1t is probable that much suffering will
cnsue among these poor people, as the
destruction OF the saw mill and dry
kiln will deprive them OF work. The
houses, il is understood were largely
owned by land companies, and the in
surancc on them is probably small, If
there is any at NIL. II is estimated tina t
over $50 people are thrown out of work
by the fire.
EODY SAVED FROM FLAMES.
The body Of colorcd woman the
wife of Noah Askew, who died yester-
day, lay in one of the dwellings. 1t was
removed TO n place OF safety just as the
flames were about to reach the build
ing.
Tho tug Thomas Balm was at the
scene very soon after the alarm was
given. She had only about 200 feet of
hose. but she did good work with this.
The loss to the Atlantic & DanviFle
Railway might have been heavy but
for the fact that yesterday about G p.
m. all of its ears. except q few in use
by the West Norfolk Lumber Company,
had been removed TO Primers Point.
Among the people rendered homeless
IT. 1...-
exposed TO the night air. was deplora-
BILE.
The fire protection at West Norfolk
proved to be entirely inadequate. and
the fire was fought under great disad-
vantages. Among the buildings saved
was the Duke House and rostonlcc.
Tho total loss is roughly estimated
at about $4,000. This is figured to be
about $4,000 on dwelling, $4,000 OH saw
mill ana $4,000 on dry kiln and lumber
and the two general stores.
E,p1r yrnr-cu, ,,r