New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-05
PRICE THREE CENTS.
w. SMELLS HOUSE BURNED
NEW SUMMER HOME AT NEWPORT De
STROYED-LOSS, s2OO.Oe0.
[BY TELEGRAPH 10 the rRIRuxr.1

lBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Newport. r. l.. May 4.-Within less than two
hours this evening the summer home OF
w Storrs Wells. of New-York at Bellevue and
Rugges aves.. was practically burned TO the
ground Not since the destruction by fire OF The
Breakers. the Cornelius Vanderbilt house on
ocnre Point, some seven or eight years ago. has
Newport had so extensive and disastrous con-
migration in the summer residence section OF
the city. Little except the chimneys and small
portions of the side walls OF the great villa now
marks the site where stood building which
was one of the finest of Newport's summer cot
tages.
Speaking strictly. this was not a new house
but an old one remodelled and greatly extended
and improved The additions were more ex-
tensive than the old structure only the Bellevue
ave part and the rooms nearest that thorough
fare remaining as they were. the old portion
having been changed materially TO correspond
with the improvements. Work had been IN
progress on the house all winter and was being
rapidly pushed to completion. II being hoped
that the house would be ready for occupancy
by June l.
1t was in the new portion of the West Side
opposite Bellevue-ave., that fire was discovered
by the watchman in the building about s.O3
O'Clock this evening. II mad apparently starred
on the lower floor. among materials used bv
Ahechahlcs engaged upon the work IL spread
rapidly. a brisk west wind famed the flames
and forced them steadily toward the centre OF
the building. from which they spread 20 the
wings on either side and finally onveloped the
entire villa. The first alarm was followed soon
by a second. and that by a general calling OF
the entire Fire Department Of the city 20 tbe
scene. distant about a mile and half from
the city. Although the response was prompt.
It was early apparent that nothing could be done
TO stay the progress of the flames and save the
structure. Within an hour the whole house was
a seething furnace. and in another it was mass
OF ruins.
Directly above the place where the fire started
the sleeping room of Mrs Wells and over
that the one designed for Miss Wells. Through
these the fire first made it's way, leaving only
the outer walls Thence 1t spread TO the east
into the main hall, which. two stories in height.
gave ample scope for the flames run riot. Car
ried upward by the strong draught. they broke
through the roof in the OF the building
in great sheets. sending showers of sparks
across Belevue-ave. far to the eastward. The
side wings under the high gabled roofs were
the last TO be reached and. though 1t looked at
time though they might be saved. the
force of the flames too great and the fire
ragged through them it had done in the main
house. At $50 o'clock the roof had fallen In
sections. and then it only question how
shoulder.
The house situated in the cottage residence
section of Bellevue-ave.. between the George s.
Scott and the Francis P Freeman homes. with
the I. T. Burden and John w. Ellis houses
across the street. Only the last named of these
was in danger from the clouds of sparks which
fell thick upon the roof though the house was
several hundred yards distant. Careful watch
by the fremen. however, saved il from catching
fire.
The loss will not fall short of 100000 1t Is
understood that the improvements which have
been made cost fully one half that amount in
addition TO the value of the old structure. and
its elaborate decorations and furnishings The
entire house decorated in an artistic and
expensive fashion much of the work being done
by Allard. of Paris, and being nearly completed
The furniture that which was in the OLD
house, and much of il the first floor wa9
saved before the fire reached that part or the
building. The loss is probably we'll covered by
insurance. including that carried by Mr.. Wells
and builders risks assured by the contractors
for the improvements.