The Minneapolis journal., 1905-10-09

fed by large stock of oils and paints,
q stubborn fire caused a damage of $780,
900 to the w. K. Morrison Hardware
company at 247-249 Nicollet avenue,
yesterday afternoon.
Altho the department, by strenuous
work, kept the flames confined in the
one building, it looked for a time as
tho the fire might leap the narrow alley
and destroy the buildings as far as
Washington avenue. For more than
three hours the fremen were fighting,
and half Of the force was detailed to
protect the surrounding buildings.
Starting in the rear Of the basement,
the flames shot to the fourth and top
floor, where they began to play havoc
with the combustible materials stored
there. Thick, black smoke was soon
pouring from some of the half-open win
dows and excited pedetrians ran in all
directions for the alarm boxes: The
windows were cracked and smoke and
flames were leaping out several feet
the threatening nature Of the fire, the
first arrivals sent in another alarm.
Paint Burns Fiercely.
A large part of the fourth floor was
occupied by the paint department, and
the stock made so fierce a fire that the
first half dozen streams Of water seemed
to have little effect. The heavy iron
fire doors were closed, both at the side
and rear, and it was some time before
the fire could be attacked from any
place but the front.
Altho there was nothing spectacular
about the fire, thousands of people
focked to see it, and an extra detach-
ment of police had to be called to main
tain order. The entire block from Third
to Fourth streets was roped off and the
firemen were unhampered. The streams
Of water playing on the fire finally con,
the smoke blew across the buildings,
driving the spectators from the roofs.
Lieutenant E. L. Smith Of fire station
No. II was on the roof of the build
ing occupied by the Minneapolis Ath-
letic club, and was completely overcome
by the smoke. He was carried to the
ground by his friends, who took him
to his home, 342 Monroe street NE, in
the Central patrol wagon.
Lives in Danger:
Several times during the fire the lives
of the fremen and spectators were in
danger. Seeing spread Of the fire
would be disastrous with such wind
Chief Canterbury had ordered the fourth
| floor literally flooded. This kept the fire
from spreading to the floors below, but
the flames broke thru the roof and
burned q pole which supper ted several
heavily charged electric wires. The
pole was none too strong. and when it
scramble for places of safety. These
wires branched out in all directions anc
had they fallen the casualties would
probably have been many.
The flooding soon began to have it!
effect on the lower. floors and the
water soaked thru the four floors ant
into the basement. After three hour!
of steady pumping, Chief Canterbury
ordered all but one engine out Of serv
ice. The fire had been confined to tht
the one floor. On the other floors only
burned. The heaviest damage was b,
water, which came in contact with near
ly every article in the building.
Loss Will Exceed $4,000.
The loss on the building was abou
stocked and the loss will probably ex
ceed $4,000. The stock was insure'
for $4,000 and members Of the firm
say it was insured for about 90 per cen
| of it's value.
The fourth floor, which was burned
was used for the surplus stock, as wei
as the paints. The third floor wa
used ent1rely Tor surplus STOCK and tn
second floor was devoted to the hous
furnishing, department. On the mali
floor was the regular hardware line. On
Of the heavy losses will be in connection
with the cutlery department., which wa
heavily stocked. The rust will caus
a large loss on these goods. The base
ment stock is also heavily damaged a
there was three feet of water ON tn
floor when the department. left.
The Leader department store adjoin
ing was damaged by smoke and waite
to an extent not yet estimated.
The cause of the fire is not known
J but it is thought to have been starte
by crossed wires near the elevate
shaft.
Streetcar traffic was not delayed, an
all cars ran over the usual routes, e.
cept the Cedar and Emerson cars, whic
ran over the old Washington avenu
; route instead of Third street.