Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-03-14

Timely and iudicious work on the
part Of the hremen and police. he
tween and O'Clock this morning.
saved the Eokal Building, at $40 Mar
kot street, from destruction by lire an
possible loss Of life incident thereto
The building was damaged to the ca
tent OF between Z 80 and $3.50. by fire.
while contents 90 the value Of up
wards of 500 were burned, but tle
biazoi the origin of which is
mystery, was confined TO the loom in
which 10 started and there was no
damage Co any other part OF the build
ing, except that Ia the saloon on the
ground iioor, Of which Anton nauber
is proprietor, the ceiling was drenohed
ny water and some Of the paper peeled
on in consequence.
Had the ire got a good start the
Oity Hall, which is only a few feet
away would have beon 10 danger of
obstruction, as would also the Clayton
houae, Adams Express Office, the
New York Clothing House, the store
OF James n. Mullin 81 Son and
group of city buildings in tue block.
The tire started in the font room
on the second floor, which is occupied
by George Il. Holt, his wife and two
children, as kitchen, but Mr.. Holt
said this morning ho had nu idea how
it started, as it was first discovered in
the southwest corner of the room,
which is ia the far corner from the
stove. The members OF the family
we're asleep iu the room above and no
body bad beon In the kitchen since
3. 40 o CLOCK last night, when ali retiled,
and as the kitchen door was looked, it
was impossible for anybody to get in
from the outside without forcing open
the door, which had not been done.
There were some matches in the room.
Several, in q stone Jar on the mantol,
had the tops burned oil, but nearby,
10 cupboard, was Inatehoard box
iull OF matches, and though the lid Of
the box was burned the mntohes wore
found TO be intact, not having ignited.
Tho iire was discovered by Reuben
Colt, Mr. holt's cousin, who has "a
room IN another part OF the building.
Ito was on his way downstairs, to got
his breakfast with the Holt family,
when he found the Kitchen 10 be a
mass OF flames, which he could see
through the glass In the door. lie
notified Mr.. Holt and his family and
also the police. An alarm was turned
in from fire box No. IL and the district
U Will NiNANaNH ANN NNMANlH NAIAN ANNNMNM
Kane was soon on tho scene and
prevented a panic. By his directions
the members of the Holt family. who
did not have time 70 dress, went TO the
rear Of the building, where they Ere
pared themselves TO 60 out of doors.
while the fromen and policemen fought
the Tire. Cant. kanu and the officers
Of the Fire Department believed that
chemical streams could quench the
blaze and very little water was used.
The fire was suon extinguished.
Mr.. Holt says the members of the
family did not smell the smoke. al
though they were directly over tine ire.
"A similar statement was made bv
/ William Fisher, who lives in another
part of the fuilding. The Office Of
Detectives Hawkins and Gray. which
adioins the room Whioh was burned
was not damaged. The members Of the
rolioa force have their lockers in the
rear room on the sec0nd floor and the
ire ola not get near that part of the
building.
Mr.. Holt estimates his loss at between
500 ana $500 and he has no insurance.
Clothing and furniture we're burned.
Tho loss on the building is covered
hl Insurance with Farmers Mutual
Insurance &c. The building is owned
by Mrs, Laura J. b. Brown of Frederick,
widow OF DR.. Thomas A. Brown, and
she was notified of the tire 10y William
Fisher, the local agent for the property.
Mr. Holt and nis family came from
Dover about year ago and this after
neon Mra. Holt and ths children will
90 Go Dover 20 remain until Mr. Holt
oan provide another home for them
here. lie is employed at the local plant
OF the American Car md Foundry Co.
The alarm was turned In by James
Sterine.