Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-09-08
A BAD BLAZE.

A fire broke out Sunday afternoon in
a shed back of VIM. Borchard's saloon,
which caused considerable property loss
and endangered much more. When
the fire was first discovered it was very
small and could have been extinguished
turned in from the nearest box but only
one tap sounded and the firemen conse-
quently did not know where the fire
was. While people were waiting for
the firemen 20 arrive the fire was rapid
ly spreading. 4 light wind was blow
ing and the buildings in the locality
were all frame, dry and situated closely
together Eventually the tiremen saw
the smoke and started. but by that time
the flames had been carried to other
buildings and gained such headway
that it was plain to be seen that some
OF them were doomed Four lines of
hose were strung out and then the en-
CINE was sent for and two more lines
laid. A large crowd of people soon
gathered and it was not long before
those who had goods which they desired
to get out of the danger zone, found
willing hands to assist them. A crowd
OF men would enter a house and in a
few minutes time would empty it. At
one time x looked as if the entire block
would be fire swept. Those on the
west and north sides of the block
trembled. Other residents living across
the bordering streets put wet rugs, etc.,
on the roofs of their houses and with
garden hose kept their property well
wet down. In this way the danger of
sparks setting fire to other buildings
was eliminated. Still several other fires
started, but were discovered in time to
prevent loss. A woodshed and smoke
house of Haesle & Williams were totally
destroyed the Heling building was
damaged barn of Ed. Lemke had its
roof burned off and was otherwise
damaged the rear of Chas Giesler's
meat market was destroyed and his
home damaged barn of Haesle &
Williams was totally burned up, to-
gether with two horses, vehicles, etc;
the residence of Mrs. Chas. Quandt,
occupied by a Moore family was
damaged a shed and barn to the north
of this property is almost total loss a
barn of Geo. Silbernagel was destroyed
Others perhaps suffered more or less
from smoke and water. Haesle & Will
lens lost number of chickens, engine,
etc, but their meat stock was not
harmed. The horses which they lost
were led out of the barn, but ran back
In again. One was saved by throwing
a grain sack over his head so he could
not see the flames. By that time it was
getting too hot to attempt to rescue the
other horses and they were abandoned
to their fate. Chas. Giesler lost part of
his meat stock, but was able TO resume
business next morning.
The cause of the fire is not known,
but there is we'll grounded suspicion
that it was of incendiary origin. A
uudA HuuS dIOuuu DOECudFuS saloon
during the early part of the day He
did not have very presentable appear
ance and his actions were noticed by
of persons. A few minutes be-
forethe fire was discovered, this man
went out of the back door of the saloon
and has not been seen since. Some
saw this same man coming out
IT the alley at about the time the blaze
was discovered. What motive the man
could have in setting the fire, if he did
set it, is not plain
Few, if any, of those who suffered
losses are fully protected by insurance.
As the burned territory is in the fire
limits, it Is quite probable that the des-
troyed buildings will be replaced by
ones more substantial than the old
ones. 1t was very lucky thing that
the fire was confined to that one block.
Had it once got out of the control of
the firemen, there is no telling how
much territory would have been burned
over.