The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-26
FIRE AT STEINER HOME
LOSS ESTIMATED AT &2,0O0 IS GOV. FRED BY INSURANCE.
Flames Discovered While Family of pr. S. J. Steiner Was at Dinner The Water Pressure
 Was Low,

There is little doubt that if a strong wind had been blowing About 1 o'clock yesterday. a fire disastrous in result would have occurred In one of the citys handsomest residence sections. As it was. the elegant home of Dr. S. J. Steiner at the corner of South Court and South Streets was gutted by fire that did damage estimated at $2000, and which on account of the low water pressure gave the firemen much trou- trol.
 Had brisk breeze been stirring the fire would have spread. as, in the dry condition of everything, a spark on a roof means a fire. and the water pres sure was not strong enough to throw water to the roof of the Steiner home a two-story house. Only the streams which were pumped by an engine were of any material service in fighting the roaring flames that enveloped almost the entire roof of the house in a few minutes.
 The firemen had three streams on the blaze, but one was practically useless because only two hose lines were con- nected with engines, and the flremen believe that had they obtained sufh- clint pressure, the fire would not have been serious.
 The fire which rig1nated in the kitchen roof from a defective fiue, was discovered at 1:20 o'clock by a negro nurse who was passing the house, and while the Steiner family was seated at the dinner table. The woman ran into the house and gave the alarm.
 The Fire Department made a quick run to the scene on a telephone alarm and though handicapped did excellent work in fighting the flames Before the arrival of the firemen, neighbors lent assistance in removing the furniture and household goods from the house, and though a greater part of all the house furnishings were removed from the lower floor, some damage resulted from its nasty removal Carpets. a plano and a cabinet mantel were re- moved by voluntary helpers who work ed hard in taking the furniture from the burning home.
 Spreading from the kitchen roof, the fire rapidly made its way into the roof of the house proper, and in an incred- ulously short time had covered the en- tire roof. The body of the house re- mains intact and another roof will new.
 Henry Crommelin, a son-in-Iaw of Dr Steiner, who has for some weeks been confined to his bed at the Steiner home, on account of serious injuries re- ceived. was removed immediately after the discovery of the fire across the street to a neighbours house It was stated last night that the shock had apparently no i'll effect on his condition and he was resting easily at the home of Major R. E. Steiner on Hull Street, where he was taken yesterday after noon.
 Dr. Steiner said that he had $3,0o0 insurance on the house and $2,000 in- surance on the furniture, in which he believed he was covered from loss, though several articles that could not be replaced were destroyed.
 The most serious damage done to the contents of the house was to Dr. Steiner's valuable library. It was great ly damaged by water.
 The fire attracted a large crowd and 1t was an hour or more before the flames were entirely extinguished.