Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1902-06-27
HUGE TIRE IN PORTLAND
THE LOSS AMOUNTS TO $500, 900
There Were No Casualties-Several
Overcome by Heat and Smoke
shipyards, Lumber Companies and
street Railway Suffer Most-Fire-
men Did Good Work,

Portland, Ore, June 23.-Short-
ly before IL o'clock Saturday night
fire broke out in the plant of. the
Wolff & wicker iron works, situated
on East Madison and East Water
streets. At a. m. it had burned over
about six acres of territory and had
destroyed property roughly estimated
at 100000 in value. Although still
burning fiercely, it is believed to be
under control. The fire had gained
great Roadway before it was discover
ed, and by the time the first engines
reached the scene the flames were
towering 200 feet into the al. The
iron works plant was a frail wooden
structure, and was soon entirely en-
veloped The fire next spread to the
plant of the East Side Lumber COM
pany, on the north. The mill, with
several hundred thousand feet Of dry
lumber, was soon destroyed.
The flames then reached across Mad
ison street, destroying the Hicks ma
chine shops and the approach, to the
Madison street bridge across the Will
lamette river, together with one span
of the bridge.
The Standard Oil company's ware
house between Water and Madison
streets, and many smaller wooden
buildings, were destroyed. The
Standard Oil company's tanks, con-
tanning many thousand gallons of oil
are still safe, and it is thought they
will escape.
The brick warehouse of Parlin G.
Orendorff, implement dealers. was en-
tlrely destroyed, with number of
frame lodging houses near by.
The entire absence of wind aided
the firemen in preventing the spread
of the fire to other large implement
warehouses in the vicinity.
1t is believed that the insurance
is small, as rates in the neighborhood
are almost prohibitive, owing to the
inflammable character of the struc-
lures.
During the progress of the fire sew
eral explosions of boilers occurred,
throwing sheets of flames hundreds of
Ieet nlgn INTO the air.
The Heaviest Losers.
The following are the heaviest
losers:
I Parlin & Orendorff, implement
dealers, $4,000; Johnston shipyards,
$4,000; East Side Lumber company,
100000; Phoenix Iron works, $751;
900; Portland City and Oregon Street
Railway company, 100000; City of
Portland, $4,000; Multnomah coun-
ty. $4,000.
At Q a. m. the fire was under control.
though the lumber yards are still burn
ing fiercely.
A Spectacular Fire.
The fire was most spectacular one.
Crowds lined the west side Of the
Willamette river and every point of
vantage was occupied. The bridge
over the river on Morrison street was
also black with people. The public
bathhouse, just opened, was in i'm
minent danger for time. Finally a
steam launch got hold of it and moved
the great structure out into the
stream. Then a mighty cheer went
up. Just as the launch with it's tow
got away from shore the second span
Of the Madison street bridge fell in.
The bathhouse was certainly moved in
the nick of time.
AS far as could be learned at 2
o'clock there were no casualties,
though several people were almost
overcome by the smoke and heat
The police maintained most excellent
order.