Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-02-26
FIRE
DestroysU. B. Church
1t Originated From a
Defective FIue.
Loss $4,000, Covered
by Insurance.
Ruilt Einht Years Am at q
Built Eight Years Ago at a
Cost of $4,000.
Structure Will be Rebuiit--Brief His
tory Of the Church.

The members of the Sunday school
Of the United Brethren church, who
braved the biting wind and low tenn
perature, Sunday morning, found their
church in flames.
In few hours the handsome cdifice
was total loss.
Nothing remained but the outer walls
standing amid scene of desolation.
The fiery f1end had done its work, and
the church home of an earnest and de-
voted congregation was in ruins.
The fire was discovered at 8 o'clock
Sunday morning. Mrs. NJ. L Wilson,
an active member of the congregation,
and who resides on Buchtel ave, oppo-
site the church, was the first to dis
cover the flames. She at once gave the
alarm. DR.. G. +. Thesis, whose office
is nearby, telephoned to the fire depart
ment. An alarm OF fire was also
turned in from box SO.
1t was at first believed that the fire
was due to an overcrowded furnace, in
an attempt to heat the auditorium for
the morning service. An investigation
proved however, that defective flue
had caused the confiagration. When
the fire was discovered it was breaking
through the chimney, near where the
pipe, leading .from the furnace, enters
the fue.i The furnace was located 30
feet from this point.
The fire departments responded
promptly, and although the chemical
engine refused to work, the fire at the
point where 1t was first discovered,
was soon controlled. At this juncture
the entire attic Of the building burst
out in flames, and from that time on,
there was no chance of saving the
property from total loss.
| How the fire connected with the up.
per portion Of the structure is mys-
| terry. Unlike many brick buildings
there was n space between the brick
and the inside plastering, and it is sup.
posed that the flames were drawn up.
ward.
The general alarm was not sounded,
but all Of the departments in the city,
with the exception of No 8, were pres
emf. For four hours the firemen poured
water upon the burning building with
the temperature eight degrees below
zero, and the wind blowing n gale.
Soon after the attic was found to be all
ablaze, the roof fell in and the ruins
were deluged with water.
The furniture In the Sunday school
rooms, including chairs and piano,
was saved. A portion Of the library
was also carried out while the re-
manning books were destroyed by food
ing.
Several dwellings standing near the
church had narrow escapes from de-
struction, aud the household goods
were removed from them. IL the
church had been a frame structure the
entire corner would have been wiped
out.
During the winter the trustees of the
church have been doing the janitor
work about the building. Sunday
morning Mr.. William Fasig built the
fire in the furnace. Before he left the
building Mr.. II. M. Oberlin came, and
the two men were in the church until
within half hour of the time the Ilre
was discovered. After they left, Mr..
Oberlln had occasion TO return to the
building and had been gone but few
moments when the alarm was given.
LOSS AND INSURANCE.
The building was insured for $4,000, !
and it is believed that amount will |
nearly cover the loss. II is thought |
that the walls are left in such con
dition, as to warrant their use in re-
building. The congregation was in
debt $4,000 but the obligations We're
being met successfully. Rev. o. W.
Slusser the pastor of the church, in.
formed representative of the Demo
crat Sunday that the edifice would be
rebuilt, The trustees will hold a meet
ing Monday night to make some def
mite arrangements for the present, and
discuss plans for the future.
SUNDAY SERVICES.
After the members of the church,
who were present had done all they
could in saving furniture they repaired
to the home of Mr.. II. NJ. Oberlin, 100
Sumner st, and regular services were