The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-31
Explosion I'm Basement of Build
ing During a Fire.
Hurls Chicago Fire Fighters In.
to the Air.
LOSS OF HALF MILLION
Occupants of RoOming House
Driven Into the Streets.
Firemen Escape Death by Leap.
ing Into an Excavation.

Chicago, Dec. 31.-A fire that started
today on the second floor of the seven
story brick building in West Van
Buren street occupied by the Cash
Buyers union, destroyed property val
ued at $500,0OO.
Spreading rapidly the fire soon as
sumed large proportions. Fearing that
the whole district was in danger a
second alarm was sent in, followed by
series of extra calls for additional
men and apparatus. When the fire
spread to the adjoining building occu-
pied by the Zeno Manufacturing COM
pany, a four story structure, the fire
men were ordered to the roofs of ad-
1acent buildings to fight the flames.
Within few minutes the flames had
burned out the structure and had
spread to the Boston Rubber Paint
company. Then the flames cracking
the brick walls of the building, spread
to 160-162 West Van Buren, street, caus-
ing heavy damage to the Peninsular
Stove company, which firm occupied
the seven floors.
So fierce did the blaze become that
burning sparks carried by a high gale
We're driven over the district and build
ing blocks away caught fire. With a
detonation that was heard for squares
an explosion in the basement of the
Cash Buyers union building tore up
the streets and sidewalks, throwing
ffremen into the air and tearing live
wires of the Van Buren, Street Eelec-
Fred Block. a fireman, was struck
on the head by falling bricks and Sc
verely injured.
Crushing down through the frail
walls of the structure adjoining, the
towering walls of the Penipsular Stove
company and those of the Cash Buyers
union tottered and collapsed.
A series of small explosions followed
he ia of no 1G A
dwelling at 1858 West Van Buren,
street, occupied as a rooming house,
was crushed like a shell by the falling
walls. The inmates had been awakened
earlier and escaped to the street, put
were unable to save any of their cloth
ing.
The stables occupied by Fortune
Brothers Brewing company were burn
ed. The horses were saved.
There was a small panic on the Met
ropolitan railway when the motormen
rushed their cars through the smoke.
Passengers attempted to get out but
were held In check by the guards.
When the explosion occurred the win
dows in the residences across the street
were shattered, the chimneys were
thrown down. Firemen who were in
the path of the falling walls escaped
death by leaping into a hole that was
being dug at the east side of a frame
building.
Search is being made for the body of
the nght Waterman or the Cash Buy
ers Union. He is believed to have re-
entered the burning building after CIV
ing the alarm. He has not besn seen
since. The fire is pronounced by Chief
Campion to have made a more rapid
headway than any in his experience
since the great fire of 1871.
The principal losses are: 160-164 West
Van Buren street. seven story brick
building, $4,000; Peninsular Stove COM
pany. 5000, 900; 1880 Van Buren street,
seven story brick building, $75, 900; Cash
Buyers First National Cooperative
society, $780, 900; 1916 West Van Buren,
street, five story brick building, $50, 900;
Rubber Paint company, 100000; Zeno
company, $50. 900.
Losses on other buildings in the vicin-
ity range from $500 to SO, 600.