Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-11-30
,,ooIated rroas Dispatch by Special Wires.

associated Prea3 Dlsphtcn py bpeclal Wlros.
Philadelphia, Pa, Nov. 90. - An
eectric spark in the basement Of Part
,idpe Il Richardson's large department
store. Nos. 10 to 90 North Eighth street,
started fire this morning that, In
lass than four hours, laid in ashes
nearly an entire block of business
houses, and caused an estimated loss of
over 1000, 600.
The heaviest losers are j. B. Lippin-
cott 4 Co., book publishers, Nos. Tl6
10 720 Filhert street, whose six-story
brick building, containing rare and
valuable plates and machinery, was
completed Quilted, involving less
estimated by member Of the firm at
1000, 600. The next heaviest losers
are Partridge & Richardson, whose
storo extended south on Eigl h street
from Filbert distance of about 125
feet and had depth Of 100 feet Their
loss on building and contents is esti-
mated at sG0O.000. Lit Bros, whose
department store adjoined the Lippin-
colt Building, estimate their loss at
800, COO
In addition to the large houses men
toned, various smaller stores we're
sither gutted OF badly damaged. Chief
among these were Bailey's five and ten
4 cent store, No. 13 North Eighth street,
loss 500, 900, and Rosenberg's millinery
establishment, No. II North Eighth
street, loss $50, 600. The estimated loss
ON these two buildings is $50. 600.
Various other establishments were
slightly damaged by smoke and water.
Lit Bros. store has frontage on
Market street from Eighth TO within
| 100 feet of Seventh street, This portion
Of the building was not damaged, but
the rear, which adioined the Liprin-
cUtt Iublishinghouse, suffered severely.
On Filbert street, between Partridge &
Richardson's store, on Eighth street,
and Lippincott's, on Filbert street,
were several small buildings, which were
destroyed. 1t was from these that the
flames communicated with the publish
inghouse. On Eighth street, between
Lits' and Partridge d Richardson s,
were located the Bailey and Rosenberg
I stores.
The blaze was discovered by Watch.
man Fannaning, who observed an elec.
trio light wire in the basement OF Par
fridge Il Richardson's store emitting
sparks. This was at 625 o'clock. He
transmitted an alarm, but before the
Fire DEPARTMENT responded the build
Ing was mass of flames. Owing to the
nfammable nature of the stock, the
blaze spread rapidly. Five alarms were
sent in, bringing out the entire Fire
Department In the course of an hour,
the large stores adjoining were II
fames Tho firemen were hampereG
in their work by the mass of trolley,
teephone and telegraph wires ovei
Filbert street, which is a narrow
thoroughfare. To this fact is partly
due the destruction of the publishing
house. The firemen were more success
ful with Lit Bros. place, and confined
the flames to the rear. During th,
contiagratlon, several firemen wer,
slightly injured by falling glass. Hun
dredS of men and women havo beer
thrown out of work by the fire. Al
the losses are probably covered by in
snranee.
While the entire department was bat
tllng with the great conflagration
another fire broke out in the wholesale
and retail boot and shoe store:of William
u. Harms, No. 4i9 Market street, fou
blocks away from the Eighth stree
fire, and half dozen engines were de
tached from the hig fire. The plac
was gutted, causing loss of $50, 600
The adjoining building, occupied b.
a. 5. Dowie. stationer, was damaged
by water to the extent Of $4,000. TIL
losses are covered by insurance.
Philadelphia, Pa, Nov. 29.-Straw
bridge 4 Clothier's dry goods and milli
merry store, opposite Partridge 4 Rich
ardson's, was slightly damaged in th
Tear by this mornings great fire. TIL
loss was occasIoned more by snlok
and water than by fire.
During the second FIRE, Ben jami
Bittan, who was on the third floor q
tho building when the fire was dis
covered, was severely burned, and wa
comtelled to leap from the second stor
70 the pavement, sustaining serious in
Fireman Griffith was burned abou
,he face and body. When the secon
hre was discot cred, every engine in th
city was engaged at the Eighth stree
Sonilagration, and the Camden Fir
department. was brought into requisi
tiOn.