Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-11-05

A"C piu"t WIS UTSC seen ISSUING
building on the corner of Mellen and
Mallory streets, occupied by Messrs
Edney & Rawles, saloon men. Just
where the blaze started is in dispute.
One report has it that the fire began
in Edney & Rawles' place, but Mr.. Ed.
ney, who was sleeping in his room mt
tho time, declares that the fire start.
ed In the Chinese laundry next door
To his place fronting in Mellen street.
Water Supply inadequate.
When the blaze was discovered it
had gained considerable Roadway, al.
though the lack of water greatly han.
dicapDed the fire department and Is
possibly the cause OF the entire de-
struction of the buildings. AS soon
as the fire was reported to the engine
house Assistant Town Treasurer Phil.
lips. Mr.. a. NJ. Hanger and Policeman
Harry Simkins hitched the horses to
the fighting apparatus.
Driver Thomas Jones was absent
from the engine house at the time and
Mr.. f. o. Hunt mounted the hose
wagon and speeded his horses to the
scene of the blaze.
Firemen Telephone for Water.
When the firemen and apparatus
reached the corner of the two streets
they found that the water pressure
was insufficient and telephone mes.
sage was hurriedly gotten through to
the headquarters OF the water com.
pany at Lee Hall, requesting that the
water he turned on Immediately. 1t
took about twenty minutes to accom-
piish this and by this time the entire
two-stcry building known as Edney &
Rawles' saloon was enveloped in
flames.
The fire soon jumped over to the
Chinese laundry and later leaped 10
the building occupied by J. LevenslSy
as a shnemaking and repair shop.
Fearing that ,the flames would get
beyond control OF the Phoebus flremen
and thnt the entire section along Mel.
len street. which consists of frame
buildings. would be consumed, the
Hampton. Normal School and Fort
Monroe fire departments were request
ed to come 10 Phoebus at once.
Firemen Respond Promptly.
All of the fire fighting companies re.
sponded promptly and. although o
short delay held the Hampton depart
ment on the Soldiers Home bridge.
the local fremen reached the scene in
time 70 render their Pboebus brothers
much assistance. The Normal School
department was also quick in respond.
ing and like the firemen OF Hampton
went to w0r kin earnest to check the
flames
The department from Fort Monroe
was prompt. but as three companies
were AZ work and it was evident that
the flames could be controlled Mayor
Louis =. Furness thanked the Fort
Monroe lighters and told them that
unless fresh outbreak occurred their
services would not be necessary
Three Buildings Destroyed.
Af'er combating the flames for
about on Eour the fire was under con
|trol. doing damages as stated 10 the
three buildings and several onthuiId.
inSs l.. the rear of the saloon.
The bnilding occupied by Messrs
Edney & Rawles was totally destroy.
ed. 1t was owned by Messrs. F. A,
and William Kearney and was valued
at $4,000. The two-story frame struct.
IRE occupied by j. Levensky was the
property OF Washington Diggs, color
ed, an: was probably worth $3.50
Washington Diges also owned the
building in which the laundry was con
Quoted. This structure was estimated
10 be worth about $3.50
Mess:s. Kearney Brothers carried
|Sl.5Oo insurance on their buildings
and it is said that Washington Diggs
was alao partly insured.
The entire. stock of liquors and fur
niture O? Messrs. Edney & Rawles was
consumed. Mr.. Edney stated that he
had mere than $4,000 worth OF stocl
in his saloon and that he carried
$1,000 insurance on. the stock. Mr.
Levensky's loss is a severe one as h5
had not cents worth of insurance
either on his toools, stock of leather
or household furniture. Mr.. Leven
sky's family lived over the shop.
Three Firemen Fall.
During the progress of the blaze