The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-22
Fire Of Unknown Origin Completely Destroys Big Clothing Es
tablishment On First Avenue-Flames Gained Early
Headway and Building Was Doomed When
Fire Department Arrived
Loss Largely Covered By Insurance Spelberger Bros
Store Next Door, Is Badly Damaged When Walls of
Burning Structure Fall In-Was Spectacular
Conflagration

Ing the appearance of hundreds of tiny
rockets.
AT every new outburst of the flames or
whenever portion of the roof of the
building gave way before the violence
of the blaze a repetition of the awe-in-
spring sight was given. The flare of
each new outburst revealed hundreds OF
upturned faoes-those of the many spec
tetors standing on the dark streets.
The glow from the burning structure
lighted up the business portion of the
city for many squares around and hum
dreds of people were attracted to the
scene. First avenue and Nineteenth
street we're both crowded with sleepy
spectators, who had been aroused from
their beds. However, there wore police
men on the scene, who kept the crowds
back and prevented an interference with
the work of the firemen.
Ownership of Building
1t was understood last night that the
building of the Louis Saks company was
owned by the Saks brothers, Louis and
Herman. The property, 1t is claimed, is
owned by Mrs. A. Marie and James
Parker 'of New York city. When the
building on the same corner burned down
several years ago, 1t is stated the Saks
brothers entered into an agreement that
they would erect a building on the cor
ner for the use of the building for 10
years. This time was due TO expire next
year, 1911 and the Saks firm had already
bought the old Hood building at the cor
ner of Third avenue>>and Twentieth
street, which was to be occSspied at the
end of their lease. 1t then appenrs that
the present burned building belongs to
the Saks firm until the expiration of their
agreement next year. This statement
could not be verified last night.
The fire was still raging at 2:30 o'clock
this morning and will probably burn all
night. At that time II had not spread to
any of the surrounding buildings and wa.
well under control. Thousands Of peo-
pie were lined up on the streets and held
back by policemen.
The cause of the fire Is a mystery as
far as anything could be learned this
morning The building was claimed to
have been steam-heated and electric
lighted. The only possible cause is either
incendiary or improper Insulation of cleo
trio wires. 1t was claimed that there were
no gas lights or gas stoves in the entire
building.
Spectators Talk of Fire
Maj. Carl Seals was standing at the
corner of Nineteenth street and Second
avenue when the fire was discovered.
Il was waiting for a car,' said Mr.. Seals,
when heard the fire gong sound, and
the next instant / saw the entire row of
windows on the second story OF the Nine
teenth street side burst out and the
flames shoot across the street l ran
toward the building and by the time got
there the first team from No. / station
was behind me.
The fire was then hopeless as the en-.
tire second floor was ablaze and I think
the fire department did excellent work
They did not have enough pressure to
bring their work up to the highest pos
sible degree of efficiency but when all
the engines got to working never saw
better fire fighting In my life."
Captain Martin Eagin of the police de-
partment was one of the first to arrive.
He said: "The entire fire was hopeless
the moment the alarm was turned In
When McGeever turned in the alarm the
second story was mass of flames and
then the stock of the clothing firm was
doomed, the fire had ruined the second
story goods, the smoke the third story
and the water the first story.
Il think the fire department are do
ing some excellent work and Chief Ben
nett has clearly shown that he under
stands fire fighting. thought the walls
were going to fall but 1t looks as If they
had been saved"
"The entire ten companies of the de-
partment are here and the system they
put into their work Is marvellous. A fire
man does not know what the word risk
means ~