The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-05
HEAVY
DAMAGES
BY WATER
Several Boston Buildings Flood
cd by FlTemsn Fighting
Stubborn Blaze.

Boston. Dec. SIT took three-quarters
of the entire Boston fire department
more than two hours, In the teeth OF
roaring gallo to conquer stubborn FIRE
in the large furniture establishment OF
Haywood brothers and the Wakefield
Rattan CO., on Causeway and Portland
streets near the North Union station
early this morning.
The actual fire loss was small. despite
the destruction caused by water TO val
liable furniture and other goods.
The Wakefield Co occupies the upper
stories OF four. buildings adjoining the
main storehouse and the focd pumped
into the part where the fire was burning,
not only poured down through all the
stories Of that structure, but IL swept
through open doors into the other large
buildings. where there was not the
slightest sign OF fire. adding greatly 10
the lose
The total damage is estimated at $780,
900. The loss by water Is considered
heavier than ever occurred at a similar
fire In this city.
Among the firms besides the Wakefield
Co. who suffered damage from water
and smoke are Cobb, Bates & Yerxa, re-
tall grocers who occupied the entire
ground floor on the corner OF Portland
and Causeway streets; Il. Il. J., Shaw.
w. r. Badger and G.. w. Earnshaw, all
furniture dealers.
The fire started without warning, short
ly before Ave o'clock, a great sheet OF
fame bursting from the upper story OF
the corner building. The gale at the time
was rushing through the streets at
rate OF so miles an hour. and when the
first engine arrived, there was every IN"
dication that the flames would not stop
in one building. but would keep on Up
Portland street. In fact, with the gale
then blowing, the entire north part OF
the city was threatened.
In quick succession four alarms were
turned in and not long after special
call was sent out for additional appara-
tus. The flremen were greatly hindered in
their efforts TO reach tho flames. The
gale carried away the ladders almost as
soon az they were raised. while few effec-
tive streams could. be used from without
on account OF wind. With the aid OF two
water towers. sending, streams from each
OF two big engines. some Roadway was
made.
The work OF the fremen outside the
building, for the first half hour was more
OF n battle with the storm than with the
flames Gradually the streams were con-
fremen gained confidence and the flames
were soon under control. For several
hours however. the water poured In cata-
racts down the stairs and came like rain
through the ceilings.
A complete list OF the firms damaged,
mostly by water il as follows:
Haywood Bros and the Wakefield Rat
tan Co. furniture dealers, stock $4,000.
Insurance 10000
Cobb. Bates g. Yerxa, grocers, $4,000;
insurance. $4,000
c. w. Earnshaw, furniture. so, 900; in
surance, $4,000.
A. B. & L. l.. Shaw church furniture,
$4,000: insurance. $4,000.
W. r. Badger. furniture. $4,000; insur-
ance 5000.
A. J. Tuttle & Co. hardware, $4,000; in
surance, 5000.
wyman's restaurant. $500; insurance,
$1,000.
All the buildings were owned by the
Peter h. Brigham estate OF this city and
were amply insured. This is the second
fire experience of Haywood Brothers
within year.