The times., 1899-05-27
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE UNKNOWN.
The Damage to the Cher,-Moran
Stock Estimated ut S3J.

The Damage to the Chery-Moran
Stock Estimated ut $4,000.
Fire with mystery enshrouding its ori-
gin, gutted the clothing establishment of
the Cherry Moran Company at sil Market
Space and threatened to destroy the ad-
joining buildings shortly after noon yester-
day. The damage done could not be accu-
rately estimated, but is said to be in the
neighborhood of S35, 900. The insurance
carried on the stock is $22, 800. The dam
age to the building is figured at $1,000,
fully covered by insurance. Representa-
tiyes of the insurance companies who will
stand for the loss went over the stock last
night in an attempt to estimate the dam
age. They were unable to complete their
work and will continue it this morning
Mr.. Moran. the junior partner of the firm
stated last night that the building would
be remodeled and business resumed as soon
as possible.
All attempts to discover the cause of the
fire have as yet ayailed nothing. 1t orig
mated in the cellar of the building and
had evidently been burning some time be-
fore it was discovered. There was no
steam in the building and the furnace fire
had been out for some time. There were
Furthermore, according to the firemen, no
indications of crossed or poorly insulated
electric wires, and as far as could be
learned no one had been smoking in the
cellar. No theory has been advanced by
the members of the firm as to the origin
of the fire
1t is understood that Mr.. Cherry was the
first to discover the fire. Smoke had been
noticed by employees of the firm and an in
vestigation started with the result that
Mr.. Cherry went into the cellar and found
it ablaze. He Immediately gave warning
and an alarm was turned in from box l2g
The fire department responded promptly
and at once went to work to subdue the
flames. In the mean time the fire was
rapidly gaining headway. Dense volumes
of smoke issued from the cellar and finally
from the doors and windows throughout
the building, but no flames could be seen
from the outside.
The firemen could not get into the build
ing because of the dense smoke and were
compelled to fight the fire from the street
and at the rear of the building. There was
but one opening into the cellar outside the
building and this was through a pair of
small surface doors in the front pavement
The opening was so small that it was i'm
possible to direct line OF hose through it,
and as consequence the iron grating
which forms the pavement directly in front
of the entrance to the store was torn up.
Several lines of hose were then run into
the cellar and the fight against the fire
began in earnest In addition to the at
tack in the cellar, streams of water were
sent into the building through the front
and rear windows and down the elevator
shaft from the second story.
Chief Paris and Assistant Chief Belt
saw that the number of engines present at
the fire was inadequate to properly fight
1T and a second alarm was turned in,
bringing additional engine companies. The
dense smoke was increasing in volume and
it was with the greatest difficulty that the
firemen could get to the seat of the con-
flagration. At one time il appeared that
the fire was not confined to any one part
of the store, but had broken cut in a dozen
different places Indications pointed to the
total destruction CT the building and ad-
joining property. Just about the time this
impression was becoming general the fire
burned through the ioists of the first floor.
causing it TO give way and precipitate what
it held into the blazing cellar. The flames
then burst forth in a wild fury. and caused
additional apprehension.
The falling of the floor was. however.
fortunate thing, as it gave the firemen
chance to get at the point where the
fire was centred. Several streams were di
rected at the opening. and other streams
kept constantly pouring in the cellar from
the front. as described. with the result that
in a short time the cellar was flooded. and
the fire eXtinguished. After the smoke had
cleared away an effort was made to learn.
if possible, the origin of the fire, but with
cut success. AS stated. the cellar had been
flooded, and all evidences of the cause de-
stroyed. An engine was put to work
pumping out the cellar but when that
was accomplished nothing was revealed.
The burned building presented a sorry
interior appearance. The floor over the
cellar had caved in carrying with it show
cases and other store fixtures. together
with the stock. The walls and ceilings
were black with smoke and dripping with
water. Everywhere was piled masses of
damaged clothing, haberdashery etc.
ruined by fire, smoke. or water. The en-
tire stock is damaged to such an extent
that it will prove almost an entire loss.
1t is a remarkable thing that the fire
did not spread TO the floors above the Gel
lar. The front of the building was not
damaged.