The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-19
FIRE DESTROYS
A LUMBER YARD
Blaze Thought to Have Been of
IncendIary 0rigin-PIace
Fully Insured.

Fire, apparently OF lncendlary origin,
yesterday afternoon destroyed Gums
lumber establishment at Harrison and
Broad Streets, Creating damage to the
extent of four or five thousand dollars.
The place was fully insured, Meesrs.
j. Is. Moore & Co. carrying $4.200 and Jul
.tus Straus & Son $3.50.
The location Of the fire caused consid
cradle alarm at first and attracted a
large crowd to the scene. From the
distance it looked as though Richmond
College were burning. ST. Lrkes Hos
Spital is also situated near by, but the
concern caused by this fact was soon re-
lleved, the building at no ume being in
any danger. The wind was blowing
east-in an opposite direction-and a little
extra hesi. and one or two cracked win
duws is ali the fire did for the hospital.
DISCOVERED BY MIR. CRUTCHFIELD.
The blaze was discovered by Justice
Crulchti.ld, iW4.O was passing through the
lumber yard on his way TO his residence
ON Grace Street, just to the rear of the
pace The flame was squirting out the
top Of the shed in the first alley in the
yard, just across from the stable. Justice
Crutcltield Immediately noti.ied the
Young men in the office and did some
lively 'phoning himself. In a few mo-
ments the entire building was in a light
haze, and second alarm was turned in.
The Fire Department was prompt in its
response, and got to work at once.
The lumber, and the sheds enclosing it.
were perfectly dry, and the flames trav-
eled from point to point with great ra-
pidity. In a half hour or little more
the Office building and three rows of lum-
Der had been destroyed, the former being
burned completely to the ground. One
or two rows of cheap, undressed lumber
We're saved, though slightly damaged on the
ends. Some of the papers and books In
Tic office We're gotten out in time; others
were lost. The safe, containing money
and other stuff, was locked, and stood the
storm. ,5.IfE
The work of the department was in
many respects the finest it has evec
done. The fire was hot and fierce, yet
was NOT allowed to spread beyond the
confines of the yard. CottrelPS wood
yard, just across the way, Murphy's.
some little distance off on the other side
the residences Oh Grace Street, including
that of Justice Crutchfieid, and st.
I.uke's Hospital. all escaped uninlured.
save in very slight way. This was all
the more remarkable from the fact that
the fire was an unusually mean one to
fight The plies of lumber were hard to
get at and the men had to pull them apart
and then turn on the water.
Casualties were few. a large post fell
on CAPTAIN Joynes, of Company No. s.
knocking him about q bit, but not dis
aiding him. Umlauf fell from truck No.
9 and got a rough shaking, but soon had
himself up again. About five of the ire
men were Knocked flat on their back
ty a stream from one of the hoses, but
they seemed to enjoy it more than any
thing else.
INCEND1ARY ORIGIN.
Chief Fuller believes the fire to have
been of incendiary origin, and Mr.. l..
G. Ford, who is in charge Of the Gum
establishment is inclined to think the
same. Mr. Ford believes the place was
set afire, whether accidentally or inten-
tionally he is not able to say. The blaze
started in one of the lumber sheds,
where the fine stock was stored and
whpe no match or lantern had ever been
known to enter.
The damage is estimated at 5000 or
possibly a little less. The loss is fully
covered by insurance. Mr.. julius Straus
carried 81 COO on the place and j.. B. Moor
and Company s4.2eO. distributed as fol-
lows: Virginia Fire and Marine, $1,000;
phoenix, s., $50: National, Hartford. 81 $50
Mr.. w. S. Gum, owner Of the yard
&c in Cuba tut is expected home very
shortly. kilograms have been sent to
him already Meanwhile an Office bui d
sin.rE will at once be erected on sts site OF
tI3a DESTROYED yard and such business
IL m hand will be looked after.