Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-02-03
ABSENCE OF
 WATER PRESSURE. Responsible for Total Des- tructiOn of Alex Strauss Home Last Night Other Property Endangered.
CHEMICALS ARE USED.
Firemen' Fought Bad Fire Wrapped in Wet Blankets-McCrary Home Ig- nited One Block Away-Other Damage.

A fire, which completely destroyed the home of Alex Strauss, No. 713 West Fourth avenue, and threatened to burn the home of Mrs. George Dar- by, No. I'll West Fourth avenue, and other adjoining property, occurred last night at S:30 o'clock. The wa ter supply was the poorest ever given in this city, and had it not been for the faithfulness and efficient work of the fire boys the conflagration would have resulted disastrously to property in that section of the city.
 Water Pressure Light.
 When the fire was first discovered by neighbors the house was filled with smoke An alarm was sounded and the Fire Department responded im- mediately, but were unable to render ffective work because of the made quate water supply. After attaching the hose to water plugs, it was fully ten minutes before water was secur- ed, and then with very little pressure. It is stated that at least a part of the building could have been saved had the water pressure been good. The firemen were left with only small chemicals to battle with the flames. With these they did effective work in protecting buildings nearby. They were forced to stand by and see the Strauss home burn to the ground, be- ing helpless without water. Chief Toney Briner and his men wrapped themselves in wet blankets and with the chemical machines did admirablf work
 Darby Home Threatened.
 The Darby home caught fire sever- al times. Each time, the firemen, sta toned on the roof. applied the chem icals and extinguishtd the blaze. In this home everything was kept in readiness to move. Clarence Darby. who has been seriously i'll for several weeks with stab wound, was placed on a cot, under the direction of his physician, and would have been car ried to the home of neighbor if the fire there could not have been over come
 House Caught Block Away. The roof of the residence of Mrs s. E. McCrary, No. 1S0 West. Fifth, more than a block away, caught fire from a burning shingle from the Strauss home and had it not been for the promptnes of the fire boys oi Engine House No. 2, who were sent from the scene of the first fire, the l loss there would have been heavy. , large opening was burned in the rool before the fire was extinguished. Family Was Absent. The origin of the fire is unknown 1 The members of the Strauss family were at the home of Charles Veil, or West Third avenue, at the time. Mrs Strauss stated that small fire was left in one of the stoves in front room, but no uneasines was felt, be- cause of it.
 Loss Estimated.
 The loss to household goods is es timated by Alex Strauss to be $2.5O0 A valuable library and handsome piano, won by Mrs. Strauss in tht Graphic's popularity contest, were among the burned effects. Miss Ere da Strauss, of Springfield, O., gues at the Strauss home, lost all of he personal effects The building wa valued at $3,OOO, and was owned b. Charles Veil.
 Light Service Crippled.
 During the fire one of the mail leads of the Citizens Light and Tran sit Company was burned and the ligh service over that circuit crippled Manager Cherot sent out men imme diately and had the damage repaire within an hour.
 Mayor Caldwell Talks.
 Mayor John L. Caldwell called u iThs Graphic office last night imme