The age-herald., 1900-02-24
BUSINESS SECTION OF BIRMINGHAM SWEPT BY A
 DISASTROUS FIRE, ENTA|L|NC LOSS OF $NO,OOO


 feeble streams from the tops of the build ings.
 About 8 o'clock the Nellie R. Raps, one of the oldest engines in the service. collapsed, and Chief Mullen, fearing that that entire section of the city would be destroyed, wired the Montgomery department for as- sistance The engineers went ito work with a will. however, and the Nellie R. Raps was soon repaired and ready for service. As the piston rods of the little engine began work ing @ cheer went up from the crowd, and many willing hands grasped the tongue and ran the engine around to First avenue and Nineteenth street, where she began hum- ming as if realizing the danger which threatened the city.
 In the meantime the flames were shooting from every window and crevice in tho doomed building, and grave fears were en- tertained least the Berney bank building be destroyed. Chief Mullen then ordered his strongest force to the north side of the building, and taking the lead himself, nine of the now tired laddies rushed up the First Avenue flight of stairs into the burn ing hotel. Many of the crowd yelled to them to stop, but they stood their ground, and fought the flames until the heat became so intense they had to retire. As they came down the stairway they lost control of the hose, and four men, including the chief were struck with the stream and hurled to the pavement The chief was badly hurt, and was taken over to the opposite side walk, where stimulant soon revived him. Chef Went Back
 Unheeding the protests of his friends, as soon as he was able to walk, he rushed back to his forces and again directed the men in their effort to save the bank build ing. The flames were now devouring the stock of Jacobs pharmacy, and some in tiammab1e articles exploded with loud report, shaking the lower part of the build ing.
 At this moment a sound of warning was given, and within few minutes the Twen- tieth street wall of the hotel building fell in with crash, breaking the heavy line of telegraph wires and mashing them to the ground.
 The current had not been turned off, and the flashing sparks of electricity and the loud popping sound all enveloped in a cloud of black smoke, and sheets of flames pre- sented an awful sight
 The huge engine on Morris Avenue com manded by Engineer Massey, kept up it's steady work, together with the reserve and Nellie R. Raps on First Avenue, and a powerful stream was again started All of the force was needed on the First Av- cnue side, and Station Master McGlemery run a large hose from the union passenger station. and went to work in the cellar of M Wdse & Co.,, and in the Weeden & Dent building, on Morris Avenue.
 When it looked as if the flames would reach the Berney National bank building the officers of the institution were on the alert, and loading the currency contained in the vault on dray, they had it re- moved under guard to the Birmingham Trust and Saving company, at the corner of First avenue. Fearing the worst, the bank officials, in order that their business should not be delayed in case their build ing burned, conditionally secured a build ing containing a vault in Which to open up this morning. During the excitement sev- eral nervous depositors rushed Unto the