The Savannah morning news., 1904-11-14
STREAMS PLAY
ON THE DEBRIS
FIREMEN AT WAREHOUSES.
S. A. L. Loss WILL NOT BE AS
GREAT AS AT FIRST SUPPOSED.

Mystery Surrounding Origin OF
Blaze StiII UnsoIved. Spontaneous
Combustion Theory Being Favored
by OmciaIs-Supernume Hqr-
ris Cut, His Hand Badly While
working on Ruins-New Building
VIII Go Up at Once.
This morning the work of clearing
away the debris from the fire of Sat
urday night in the delivery warehouses
of the Seaboard Air Line on River
street, will begin.
The walls of the structure are be-
lieved to be intact, rendering the task
of rebuilding easier than was at f1rst
feared. The rebuilding of the ware
houses will be entered up at once.
Pending their completion the Seaboard
will use the receiving warehouse at
the foot of Montgomery street for both
the receiving and distributing OF
freight.
All day yesterday the firemen kept
streams of water playing on the half
burned hay, and by dark it was be-
lieved there would be no danger of any
further burning, though there was still
a little fire in the center of the hay.
The surrounding material was so sat
u1ated that it was made impossible for
the fire to get to the surface.
Loss Under $25yOOO.
From estimates made by the Sea-
board officials of the loss after view
ing the ruins, the loss on the stock is
placed at a little less than $4,000, aft
er deducting salvage estimated at over
81, 1000.
In this latter was included num-
Der of barrels of whisky, some machin-
cry and miscellaneous freight which
will still be worth something. In the
fire was an automobile for the Electric
Supply Company and piano.
The loss on the building was esti-
mated at about one-third of its value,
or something over $4,000, making the
total loss under $4,000. The loss ON
stock and building was fully covered
by insurance.
Fireman Cut Hand.
While engaged in playing a hose on
the ruins yesterday morning Raymond
a
appointed, had the misfortune to have
his hand badly cut on the tin roof,
which had fallen to the floor. The
cut was attended to by Fireman Nor
gan at headquarters. The young man
was sent home. 1t was his first days
work for the department.
Assistant Foreman Tom Hamilton,
who was hurt by fall at the fire,
was reported to be getting along we'll
and will soon be out again. Fireman
Moehrke, whose wrist was badly wrench
ed during the fire, was able to report
for duty during the day and was at
work at the scene of the fire.
Quite a large number of people Wis
tied the scene of the fire during the
afternoon. Owing to the state of the
weather and the damp condition of the
place they did not remain long.
Origin Still n Mystery.
Nothing new was developed during
the day as the cause for the blaze.
The Seaboard official express the be-
lief that it was case of spontaneous
combustion. no other theory satisfac-
torily explaining the blaze.
Another suggestion was that match
had been dropped by some of the la
borers, either while the hay was in
transit, or while being transferred. 1t
is strictly against the rules of the
company for any one to carry a match
into the warehouse. The place is
lighted by electricity, but there were
no wires near the place where the fire
started.
1t is expected that perhaps some
light may be thrown on the question
when the hay is moved from the spot
where the fire started.