Arizona republican., 1903-07-29
BUILDINGS BURNING
ShrOuded in Flames at }
 O'clock This Morning
Fire Originated in Back Part of Bur- tis' Store and It Is Possible That Whole Row Will Be Burned.

About 2:3O o'clock this morning fire was discovered in the rear of the plumbing establishment of D. H. Burtis on the south side of Washington street, between Center and First. It is belev- ed to have started from spontaneous combustion as the first notice of it by a late pedestrian was a sheet of flame bursting up suddenly
 The department was called out as quickly as possible. but for q long time made little headway in fighting the fire. Whether from a lack of water pressure, a lack of firemen or the inefficiency of the apparatus could not be determined at the time of writing.
 West of the Burtis store is the Alkire store and next to that on the west is the drug store or Elvey & Hulett. A suspicious smoke was emerging from the drug store at last report, and it is believed the rear of the Alkire store will be badly scorched. if, indeed. the whole stock is not ruined or badly damaged by smoke and water East of the Burtis store is the hard ware store of Talbot & Hubbard.
 It will probably be scorched. and in fact at this writing there is no positive assurance that all between the Filing son block and the National bank of Arizona will not be practically de- stroyed. The firemen, however, are working hard and there is at least strong nope that the real burning will be confined to the Burtis store and the rear of the Alkire store.
 The rear of the Talbot x Hubbard store is devoted almost entirely to heavy iron stock, and there is little to burn there except the building, though it is natural to suppose that there is more or less powder and ammunition in the front end of the establishment, a fact that adds no little concern to some who are fighting the fire. The rear wall of one of the buildings fell across the alley toward the Commer- cial hotel, but that structure being of brick and three stories high no damage was done. A later report is to the Cf- feet that the Gotten block. occupied by the National Bank, is also greatly en- dangered.
 At 1 o'clock a much better idea. of the finish of the fire could be gained for the Alkire5 and Burtis stores are
 
 the roofs having fallen in. and the stocks cannot be other than practical ly q total loss. The Talbot X Hub bard loss will be trivial for the store floor of the Ellingson block, which will be saved. though it is badly smoked up and drenched with water The closest call was the Gotten build ing. on the corner of Center and Wash ingtOn streets. one of the largest blocks in the city and adjoining the Alkire store It has a heavy brick wall, and the only vulnerable points were the windows above the roof of the Alkire store. These caught fire repeatedly. but it is believed they will as often be ex- tinguished and the building saved At various times, though, the building was believed to be doomed and the greater part Of the movable contents were taken to the sidewalks below. The building is occupied by two or three families, and several offices up stairs. and the bank and several offices below. and the tenants will at least suffer the loss ensuing from the removal of their belongings.