The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1905-01-21
husbands condition at once.

her husbands condition at once.
L County Auditor A. c. Lewis was pass
ling the store when the explosion occur
5red. He distinctly detected the odor of
gasoline Immediately after the explos-
lon. Other persons who were near when
the explosion occurred agree with Mr..
Lewis as to the odor of gasoline
The fremen were hindered to some
extent in fighting the flames by the es-
| lcape of gas. The gas pipes were broken
during the fire and it became necessary
to shut off the supply at the gas works.
The building is completely gutted
The rooms upstairs were occupied by
Mr.. and Mrs. A. L. Loomis and Mr.
| and Mrs. A. O. Matson. Mr.. and Mrs
| Loomis are not in the city. They are
| visiting in Boise, Ida. Mrs. Matson
was in her apartments at the time Of
the fire and escaped wi tn her child from
| the burning building with little difficulty
| being hindered only by smoke
i Chas Green's meat market adjoining
| the burned building, sustained loss Of
| about 5000 on account of smoke and
water. The Olsen Furniture Co.'S
store was damaged to the extent of
about $1,000 by smoke and water.
| The loss of the Singer Sewing Ma
chine Co.'S agency in the same build
ing and next door to the Pantorium
will amount to about $4,000
The advantage of the new and en-
| larged water main on Broadway was
appreciated in the fire today. The
/ streams of water from the main were
\ fEiar greater than was possible formerly
when the old main was used to supply
! water to the fire fighters.
| The losses on account of the fire
are estimated as follows:
| The Pantorium Co., loss ST., 500; in
surance, $1,000.
:. Hancock Bros loss $500; insur-
ance, $4,000.
A. L. Loomis, loss $1,000; insurance,
$4,000.
Green meat market, loss $500; fully
Ensured.
| W(O. Olsen Furniture Co., loss ST.
900, fully insured.
Singer Sewing Machine Co., $4,000.
| A. L. Matson, loss $500.
| Total loss, $780, insurance, $Io,-
500 H.
Much interest is displayed in the
cause Of the fire. Owing to the fact
that there is about FIVE feet OF water in
the basement of the gutted building it
is impossible to ascertain whether or
not the boiler had exploded and thus
caused the flames. <~7s...,@ 7
| One theory that has been advanced
and given credence to by those who
do not accept the theory Of gasoline
explosion is that the, explosion was
from gas generated in the furnace.
Nothing definite will be known until
the water is pumped out of the base
Inent and complete investigation is
made. IS, 81 a. ...s5g * as.5s III #5sE,. il
| At 2:3o this afternoon the fire in the
front OF the building had been entirely
extinguished but great volumes of
smoke continued to pour from the rear
I of the building.
The street car service was put out of
business for several hours and vast
crowds of people. were anxious specta-
tors. When the burned men were be-
ling treated in The Forum Office crowds
| OF people, afflicted with morbid cur
liosity blocked the windows III their
leforts to obtain a glimpse of the suf-
fering men.
| 1t was explained this afternoon that
| the reason the steamer was not in ac-
| ton soon after the fire originated was
because the engineer was at dinner
when the alarm was sounded and was
not aware that FIRE was raging until
lhe arrived at the fire hall after finish
ing his meal. Through an oversight,
| "a FIRE alarm box had not been placed in
the engineers house However, owing
TO the excellent pressure afforded by
1.-THE operation of the new water main,
the steamer was not missed
Up to a late hour this afternoon sev-
leral streams of water were being played
I'M the building Volumes Of smoke
were pouring from the rear but it IS
not believed that there IS any danger Of
Ia renewed outbreak