The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-29
A ROAR OF FLAMES
AFT TER LIGHTNING
Cameron Residence Occupied
by Dr.. Hay Destroyed.
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
Outside cf the City Limits the House Burns
While Pecp'e G;z', ard Only POr-
ton Of The Household Effects
are Saved.

Lightning did destructive work in Raj
eight early yesterday morning, setting fire
to the residence in West Raleigh. occu-
pied by DR.. J. I. Hay, this being totally
destroyed.
During Monday night a violent wind,
ram, thunder and lightning storm ragged in
Raleigh. From eleven to IL 80 o'clock the
down pour was terrific
This ended then. but later the rain be
gan again and there were vivid flashes of
lightning, the intensity of these showing
that they had struck close at hand.
At exactly 3:15 yesterday morning the
fire alarm bell sounded. During the night
1t had been heard number of times,
caused by the lightning, but soon the
regularity of the strokes told that the
flames were at work.
The alarm was from box 212. corner OF
Fayetteville and Hargett streets, turned In
by some one who had seen the reflection
CT the flames out in the western part Ct
the city. The fire companies responded
promptly and went on the run out on
Rlllsbofo street
The fire was finally located and at first
1t was thought ST. Mary's was in flames.
and then the residence of Rev. T. ID.
BrattoR. But it was just beyond this, tire
Cameron place occupied by the family of
DR.. T. T. Hay, being on FIRE with no hopes
of saving it.
The residence, a two story frame one,
Is out of the city limits and the hose
company could make no connection by
which they could reach the flames. The
crowd that collected could only stand and
see the house burn to the ground. without
having the power to do anything.
Before three o'clock the members of the
family were aroused by crash of thAndcr,
blowing a vivid and sharp flash of light
nlng. The noise was so rear that it was
thought the house, or something near al
hand had been struck. The family re-
tired but soon the smoke issuing from
the walls about the fire place told the
story OF house on fire.
There were in the house Dr. T. T. Hay,
Mr.. Walter Hay, Mr.. Oscar Hay, the
Misses Hay and Miss Peoples. At once ar
alarm was given and the family went to
work to remove the household effects. A
few neighbors, among these Mr. w j..
Crews and Mr. Will Hughes were early oil
the scene and rendered valuable assistance
The piano was gotten out, as well as
much furniture and many pictures, be
sides some trunks and other household
articles, though a avery large amount OF
goods was destroyed.
The flames seem to have caught along
the entire side of the second story frame
house along the chimney in the course OF
the lightning rod. A tree blasted Nv
lightning is close at hand. and it IS
thought the lightning first struck the tree
and then jumped to the house, tearing its
course along the lightning rod and setting
fire to the house.
The flames spread very rapidly and at
twenty minutes past three O'Clock We're
raging fiercely. Even though the rain he'd
poured IN torrents on the building it burn
ed like dry finder Trees in the yard
caught on fire and burned The heat was
intense that the crowd had to back
away from it and in this crowd there
we're a number of ladies'
By four o'clock, though the flames were
still burning the house was practically
gone. 1t STANDS in a grove to itself and
no other place was in danger The family
we're cared for at DR.. Bratton's during the
night and yesterday the Presbyterian
parsonage was rented for use till further
arrangements could be made
Every effort was made to reach people
IN Raleigh and the fire department by
telephone, but every telephone in the
nelghborhood seemed to be burned cut.
and 1t was not possible TO get a message
through to the city. Even when the fire
companies did arrive they could be of no |
service for lack OF water.
The residence burned is part of the
Cameron estate in which is the life inter
est OF Mrs. Seaton Gales, Sr, of New
York, the house having been built by
Major Gales. The loss is estimated at the
value of the house, from 81 500 to 81 500
The furniture and personal effects de-
stroyed ID the house are put at about
$1,000, the heaviest oss being that of Mr.
Walter Hay A portion Of this loss is
covered by insurance
During the night the lightning also
struck the cupola at the residence of Mr.
A. E. S. Lindsey tearing portion of it
down. In the house at the time were
Mr. and Mrs. Claude Taylor. In speaking
of the lightning, Mr.. Taylor says it shot
across the bed and knocked his watch
from the chair.
number of trees were struck and the
terrific force of the wind tore off the
branches Of many while the rain ran tor
rents in the streets Many telephones
were burnt out, and many electric lights
met the same fate the electric suspension
lights being also extingushed