The St. Lucie County tribune. (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Fla.) 1905-1920, 1910-09-02
SERIOUS FIRE
THREATENED
Blaze of Monday Night tndan-
gered Entire Fish Industry
fine FIRE FIGHTERS
Much RidiCuIed Engine Saved Property
Valued at $4,000 will Prob.
ably Not Exceed a Total of $4,000

Monday evening at $50 the alarm
of fire brought the residents of Fort
Pierce from their homes to the river
shore, the wholesale fish house of Cross
& Rutherford being in mass of flames
while four other wholesale fish houses
machine shop and the oil and gasoline
warehouse, were seriously threatened
with destruction, with property value
of more than 100000.
The origin of the fire is not known,
but it is supposed to have been from a
smudge. The entire roof of the build
ing was in flames when the alarm was
given, and only the prompt arrival of
the fire engine and its efficient work
confined the fire to one building and
saved the entire dock. In fact. had
the gasolene warehouse, containing
more than carload of gasolene, ignited
the resultant explosion might have
carried the flames to shore, and a
catastrophe followed.
Located as the buildings are on the
dock, but a few feet apart, it was ia
deed miraculous that the flames were
confined to the building in which it
originated, but the charred walls of
the two adjoining buildings stand as
silent witness to the heroic work of the
volunteer fire department, assisted by
more than hundred of the citizens of
Fort Pierce. Many times were these
two building are. but instantly they
we've drenched with steady flow Of
salt water from the fire engine which
has been the subject of ridcule by the
citizens generally since it came into
the possession of the city. While the
engine is insufficient for the needs of
the city, and arrangements are already
under way to secure an engine operated
by power, its work in saving property
Tuesday night has paid the cost many
times over.
The loss is estimated at nearly 81, 600,
of which amount Cross & Rutherford
are the heaviest losers, amounting to
about SO, 900. in nets. Irvine, engines
and office supplies. They had just over
hauled and painted seven motor boat
engines. three of which fell threw the
floor into the river were total loss, the
sudden cooling cracking the cylinder
head; the other engines can be repaired
at cost of about $50 each. The loss
comes particularly hea y just at this
time. when all supplies were on hand
for the busy season about to open.
In appreciation of the work of the
fire department, Mr.. P. P. Cobb has
presented Chief Tylander with check
for 500, to be used for the benefit of
the fire department. The check has
been placed in the bank, starting fund
for which future occasions will make
demand.
Our citizens should make more prompt
response to the alarm of fire, for on
this occasion R. E. Minis, un assisted,
pulled the fire engine from the barn to
the railroad, when three Others came to
his assistance in taking to the wharf.
The subject of adequate water supply
a I'd sewer system is again brought to
the attention of the citizens of Fort
Pierce. This can be accomplished by
bond issue, and petition calling an
election has been filled with the city
council for several months.