Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-07
BIG FIRE IN. ELMIRA
STARTED BY GAS ExPLoSIoN IN
THEATER BUILDING.
Some Suspicion Of an Incendiary-
Losses Very Heavy-Destructive
Confagrations Elsewhere.

ELMIRA, N Y, March THE fire which
was discovered in cigar factory under the
Lyceum Theater shortly. after II O'Clock
last night did damage to the amount OF
5000, 900 before the flames were extin-
guished.
At half-past IL the Lyceum Theater had
been entirely gutted and the blaze had
spread to the adjoining buildings.
Flying sparks spread the flames to the
Realty building, in which is located the
Auditorium Theater, and this, too, proved
a total loss
Suspicion of Incendiary.
The fire is said to have been started by
an explosi on of natural gas In the Lyceum
Theater building. but. according to another
report, a burning rag was found on the
Auditorium stage, and this has given rise
to the suspicion that both theaters were
set on fire by an incendiary.
In response to a request from the local
fire department, aid was sent from the
Elmira State Reformatory. Eimira Heights
and Households, and at 4:8O this morning
the fire was under control.
Heavy Losers.
D. c. Robinson, owner of the Lyceum
Theater, was the heaviest loser, well-in-
formed persons estimating the damage tc
his property at $4,000 The theater was
insured for $4,000.
Among the other losers are John M. Con:
nelly, wholesale liquor dealer; Hughes &
Sullivan, undertakers; Isador Bernstein
cigar manufacturer; j. j. OConnor, whole
sale liquor dealer, and Zera Compton, avn
ings and tents. Connolly g loss is placed al
$4,000 and that of Hughes & Sullivan al
$1,000. Estim tes of the damage to other
property could not be obtained.
Falling Roof Wrecks Building.
The Second National Bank, which occu-
pied a portion of the ground floor of the
Realty building, it was found, was only
damaged by water. The bank opened for
business today as usual
The roof of the Lyceum Theater fell this
morning. wrecking two-story brick build
ing used for a livery stable. This building
had escaped the fire.
"A Country Girl was to have appeared
at the Lyceum Theater tonight, and the
the same theater for four nights this week
The latter company lost all of its trunks,
scenery and properties.
Destructive Fires Elsewhere.
A telegram from Oswego. N Y. last
night says: The general office building o1
the New York Central railroad was de
more than 100000. The building contain.
ed, in addition to the general offices, the
American Express Cenpanyss office. foul
stores and the Lake sheda Hotel which
was recently vacated. Tae origin OF thf
fire is unknown
Fire yesterday threatened for a. time te
destroy the entire village of EHBaukee
Wis, but was subdued after the post Office
and several other buildings had been con
sumed. The loss is nominal.
AT Decatur, ILL.,, the Race clothing and
manufacturing store was entirefg destroy
ed by fire yesterday Loss, $4,000, fully
insured.
The fire which broke out in the military
reservation north of Fort sill, in Oklahoma,
Saturday night was still burning last night
Soldiers and Indians have been busy all
day fighting the fire. The cities in the
territory are sending aid to the sufferers
in the stricken district.
Fire yesterday at Wichita, Kan. destroy
ed the Crystal ice plant in that city. Loss
$50, 600